Month: July 2011

2010 Maths SAT Paper A: answers questions 1 and 2

This is the first of a series which will look more closely at the KS2 Maths SAT papers for 2010. Taking one or two questions at a time I will show  suggested methods for answering and what is accepted as an answer. This should build into a very useful resource over the following weeks.

If you are looking for much more on the KS 2 Maths SAT papers and an excellent revision programme then I would highly recommend:

ks2-maths-sats.co.uk

The first question on Paper A looks at a series of five amounts of money, one shown in pence, the rest as pounds, which has to be put in order, smallest amount first.

Suggested method:

The best way to do this type of question is to search for the lowest possible amount, which is £0.27 (or 27p) and place this in the answer, at the same time as putting a thin line through that amount on the question sheet. This then eliminates this amount, making the others easier to see.

The second question is all about adding 2-digit numbers and rounding. The key is to carry out an ordered trial and error approach to this question. Starting with one number add it to each of the others in turn and see if the rounded result is 60.

Questions 1 and 2 from SATS test 2010 Paper A

Questions 1 and 2 answers

 

Maths game: Criss Cross 3 Addition (1)

This is a simple 2 player game suitable for children who are learning single figure addition facts.

Two sets of coloured counters and a calculator are needed.

Player 1 chooses two numbers from the list below.
Add the two numbers on the calculator. If the answer is on the grid place a red counter on that square.
Player 2 chooses two numbers from the list below and adds them on the calculator.   If the answer is on the grid place a blue counter on that square.
Once a number has been covered it cannot be covered again.
The winner is the first person to put three counters in a row, across, down or diagonally.

There is obviously a clear advantage in going first, but it also helps to know addition facts, as this takes the guesswork out of playing the game, which is really an advanced noughts and crosses.

Criss cross 3: Addition (1)

 

Resource of the Week: multiplying 2-digit numbers by 9 mentally.

multiply-by-9-mentally-1

A great deal is made of written methods of multiplication but it all depends on having good mental arithmetic skills.In fact much that might be done on paper can actually be done ‘in your head’.

A good example of this is that you can multiply most 2-digit numbers by 9 in your head. The most efficient way to do this is to multiply the number by ten and then subtract the number. For example:

46 x 9

First of all multiply 46 by 10 which is 460.

Then subtract 46 from 460 which is 414.

This maths worksheet shows how to do this and then gives some practice questions – but, a word of warning, you do have to be pretty good at subtraction to use this method.

Thgis, and much more can be found in the Four Rules category.

Multiply by 9 mentally (1)

Year 3 mental arithmetic: Sets 7 and 8

I continue with two more sets of mental arithmetic questions for Year 3. Today the questions are about notation of money, recalling addition and subtraction facts, tables and doubling and halving.

At the moment I am only publishing two sets of questions a week, but these can be used effectively to make up your own questions which can be read out. Mental arithmetic is one of the most important aspects of maths in the primary school and should not be neglected.

All these pages can be found in the Year 3 maths worksheets section under Mental Arithmetic.

Year 3 Mental Arithmetic (sets 7 and 8)

Year 1 maths resources

All the maths worksheets for Year 1 are to be found by clicking on the Free Maths Worksheets link at the top of the page. The worksheets have been organised into categories following the guidelines of the primary Framework for Mathematics, although this is now under review.

The categories are:

Counting and Number: looking at counting small numbers in steps of one and writing numbers.

Know number facts: counting on and back in twos and knowing addition facts to 5.

Calculating: including adding small numbers, taking away and an introduction to money

Understanding shape:  at this stage recognising triangles, rectangles and squares as well as introducing some 3D shapes

Measuring: using non standard measures and comparing

Handling Data: mainly making lists

Using and Applying Maths: making number stories and investigating.

Whilst there is a considerable amount here it is next to nothing compared to the URBrainy site which is the best that I have found online, with over 1700 colourful pages of maths for Year 1, including full answers.

Go to our Year 1 maths resources

Year 6 Equivalent Fractions

Here is another page of equivalent fractions. One part of each pair of fractions is missing and the missing numerator or denominator needs to be entered. Remember, equivalent fractions are fractions which have the same overall value.

One interesting way to check whether two fractions are equivalent is to carry out a couple of multiplications; what is known as cross multiplication. To check whether a/b is equivalent to c/d just multiply a by d and then multiply b by c. If the two answers are equal then the fractions are equivalent. This is a really good way to check to see whether the answers given are correct.

Equivalent fractions (pg 2)