Hey PSLE champions and super parents! We know math can sometimes feel like trying to solve a mystery, especially with tricky topics like Ratio and Percentage popping up in exams. But guess what? We’re about to crack the code together! Today, we’re going to break down a real P5 exam question from 2023 and show you how to tackle these problems like a pro.
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Ratio and Percentage Question: Taken from 2023/P5/WA2/ Henry Park
“Lynn baked some vanilla and banana muffins for sale in the ratio of 7 : 10. She collected a total of $1647 from the sale of 102 vanilla muffins and 40% of the banana muffins. Given that all the muffins were sold at $4.50 each, how many vanilla muffins did she have left in the end? (4 marks)”
Phew! Sounds like a mouthful, right? Don’t worry, we’ll make it easy as pie (or, well, muffins!).
Breaking It Down: Ratio and Percentage Question
Cracking the Code: Our Not-So-Secret TCM Method!
Now, before you start thinking about Traditional Chinese Medicine, let’s clarify! We’re talking about TCM for Math: Topic, Concept, and Method. It’s our secret weapon for understanding any math problem!
S.O.L.VE — Breaking It Into Bite-Sized Chunks
Let us then use the S.O.L.VE method and break the question down into bite-size chunks to arrive at the answer.
(S)earch for Clues
We are given two different information in the question, the quantity of each muffin and the value of the muffins.
Quantity
Since we are comparing the vanilla and banana muffins, let V represent Vanilla muffins and B represent Banana muffins.
Value
Total → $1647
1 muffin → $4.50
(O)btain evidence
From our T3 Table, there are some information that are presented differently from the rest. Let us figure out what do they mean and change the table accordingly.
Change in Banana muffins → 40% x 10u = 4u
Banana muffins left → 60% x 10u = 6u
It appears we are at a deadline with the information we have regarding Quantity. Let us head over to Value and see if we are able to gleam anything from there.
Total → $1647
1 muffin → $4.50
As we have the total value of the muffins and the individual value of the muffins, we can calculate the total number of muffins sold. [M1]
Number of muffins sold → $1647 ÷ $4.50 = 366 muffins sold
It looks like we are able to get more information on Quantity. Let see what else we can figure out for Quantity.
Total muffins sold → 102 Vanilla muffins + 4u of Banana muffins
Total muffins sold → 102 + 4u = 366
Let us isolate the units on the left side of the equation and have all the numbers on the right of the equation.
4u + 102 – 102 = 366 – 102
4u = 264
(L)ocate the key
In most questions, the key to solving the question is to find the value of either 1 unit or 1 percent. Let’s find it now.
4u → 264
1u → 264 ÷ 4 = 66 [M1]
Sol(VE) mystery
Finally, we have found the key we need to figure all the numbers hidden behind the units.
However, it is also important to work smart. We should read the question again to recall what exactly does the question want us to find rather than finding out what does all the different units represent.
Given that all the muffins were sold at $4.50 each, how many vanilla muffins did she have left in the end?
From here, our path is clear. We need to calculate how many Vanilla muffins were baked at first then remove the 102 vanilla muffins sold to find the number of vanilla muffins left.
7u → 7 x 66 = 462
Number of vanilla muffins left → 462 – 102 = 360 (Ans) [M1,A1]
Key Takeaways
Want more PSLE tips? Read also: Adding and Subtracting Fractions (Learn PSLE/Primary Math)
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