06 Apr, 2010
Calender
Ref : P2 Lesson 13

Some years ago, 1st January was a Saturday. Which day of the
week was 31st January that year?
>>Solution
Heuristic : Use a diagram (table)
Thinking Skills : Sequencing
Ref : The Singapore Model Method for Learning Mathematics p12

31 Mar, 2010
Marbles Troubles
Ref : P2 Lesson 12
Alan, Ben and Charles had 864 trading cards. Ben won some of the cards from Alan and as a result, Ben’s cards increased by 50%. Charles then won some cards from Ben and Charles’ cards increased by 40%. Finally, Charles lost some of his cards to Alan and Alan’s cards increased by 20%. In the end, they realized they each had an equal number of cards. How many cards did Alan have at first?
Red Swastika P6 SA1 2009
Dear Parents,
Baffled by the above problem sum? Try working backwards.
Your child will be tasked to solve such problem sums just a few years down the road. So start preparing them today. Work out this week’s Family Math, “Marbles Troubles” with them.

Marbles Troubles
There are 10 marbles altogether in box A and box B.
5 marbles from box A are transferred to box B.
2 marbles are then transferred from box B to box A. The two boxes now contained the same number of marbles. How many marbles are there in each box at first?
>>Solution
Heuristic : Work Backwards
Thinking Skills : Analyzing parts and wholes
Ref : The Singapore Model Method for Learning Mathematics p12

Answer
A = 8 marbles
B = 2 marbles
20 Mar, 2010
Too Many Rabbits
Ref : P2 Lesson 11

A doe (female rabbit) gives birth to a baby doe after one year of its birth and gives birth to a baby doe every year afterwards.
The baby doe also gives birth to another baby doe after one year and this process continues.
How many does will there be altogether in 4 years?
>>Solution

Answer : 8 rabbits
13 Mar, 2010
Fruity Fruits
Ref : P2 Lesson 10

Strawberry is the lightest. Strawberry weighs 160g. Apple is the
heaviest. When I weigh 2 fruits at a time, the total mass are 410g, 540g and 630g. What is the total mass of the three fruit?
>>Solution
Strawberry (Lightest) + Pear = 410g
Pear = 410g – 160 g = 250g
Apple (Heaviest) + Pear = 630g
Apple = 630g – 250g = 380g
Total Weight : 160g + 250g + 380g = 790g
Answer : 790g

