<![CDATA[Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions!]]>Original Title: Let MathsGuru Answer Your Burning Maths Questions!


:welcome:

Dear Parents,

Are you frustrated/stuck when helping your child solve his/her Maths questions? Are you inclined to use Algebra most of the time? Do you have difficulty trying to use diagrams or other heuristic methods (that Primary School students learn) to solve?

:idea: Post your questions here and see how MathsGuru solve them to the best of her ability. Detailed solutions will be posted back in this thread.

So start asking and watch this space!!

Cheers :celebrate: ,
MathsGuru

P/S (Disclaimer, in case you're wondering...):
Although MathsGuru is a full-time Maths tutor, this thread is meant to be an absolutely free resource for parents (or even children) with no strings attached. Just someone who's passionate about Maths and wanna spread the fun in learning Maths with others. 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/6373/tutor-mathsguru-ask-me-for-your-burning-maths-questionsRSS for NodeSat, 02 May 2026 21:29:42 GMTThu, 29 Oct 2009 17:27:41 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Wed, 08 Mar 2023 14:08:14 GMT]]>Haha thx! Guess I lost 3 marks or so there. Still AL1 I hope 😂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2100500https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2100500Wed, 08 Mar 2023 14:08:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Wed, 08 Mar 2023 13:43:44 GMT]]>@zac’s mum, I used the same method for both questions.


Q1 has a small error, 16u = 720
So u = 45 and 8u = 360

Q2 - same answer.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2100495https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2100495Wed, 08 Mar 2023 13:43:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Wed, 08 Mar 2023 11:58:35 GMT]]>

mslaladuckie\" post_id=\"2100440\" time=\"1678260880\" user_id=\"201028:

Hi, I have two P6 maths questions that I'm stuck with.
Could you help?

1) A store had plates and bowls in the ratio of 8:5. After selling 120 plates and 135 bowls, the ratio of plates and bowls left was 8:3. How many plates did the store have at first?

2) In a swimming club, the ratio of the number of girls to the number of boys was 5:3. After 3 girls and 5 boys joined the club, the ratio became 7:5. How many girls were there in the club at first?

Thank you.
The method to use is called Units and Parts Method (Simultaneous Equations for PSLE). A web search will provide you with many articles and Youtube videos of this method.

https://i.imgur.com/RtMLigb.jpg\">
The store had 720 plates at first.

https://i.imgur.com/7AOlxvC.jpg\">
There were 25 girls in the club at first.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2100481https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2100481Wed, 08 Mar 2023 11:58:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Wed, 08 Mar 2023 11:11:14 GMT]]>

mslaladuckie\" post_id=\"2100440\" time=\"1678260880\" user_id=\"201028:

Hi, I have two P6 maths questions that I'm stuck with.
Could you help?

1) A store had plates and bowls in the ratio of 8:5. After selling 120 plates and 135 bowls, the ratio of plates and bowls left was 8:3. How many plates did the store have at first?

2) In a swimming club, the ratio of the number of girls to the number of boys was 5:3. After 3 girls and 5 boys joined the club, the ratio became 7:5. How many girls were there in the club at first?

Thank you.
You should post your academic questions on https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/askq/ 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2100477https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2100477Wed, 08 Mar 2023 11:11:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Wed, 08 Mar 2023 07:34:40 GMT]]>Hi, I have two P6 maths questions that I’m stuck with.

Could you help?

1) A store had plates and bowls in the ratio of 8:5. After selling 120 plates and 135 bowls, the ratio of plates and bowls left was 8:3. How many plates did the store have at first?

2) In a swimming club, the ratio of the number of girls to the number of boys was 5:3. After 3 girls and 5 boys joined the club, the ratio became 7:5. How many girls were there in the club at first?

Thank you.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2100440https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2100440Wed, 08 Mar 2023 07:34:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Fri, 17 Jun 2016 21:36:09 GMT]]>Dear mathsguru, my ds seems to hv weak foundation in understanding percentages. He also tends to misinterpret info given in questions.

Now it’s near psle. How can I help him to fully understand percentages and stop misinterpreting questions?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1690683https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1690683Fri, 17 Jun 2016 21:36:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Mon, 16 May 2016 05:31:29 GMT]]>got it, when it is solved, everything seems so simple. Thank you very much

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1679899https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1679899Mon, 16 May 2016 05:31:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Mon, 16 May 2016 05:11:12 GMT]]>1) Add the weight for Ali/Joan & Ali Julie, 130kg+120kg=250kg (You will have 2x Ali wt, 1x Joan wt & 1x Julie wt)

i) Using this 250kg, subtract it with Joan/Julie weight 130kg, 250-130kg=120kg (It will leave you with 2x Ali wt)
ii) 120kg/2= 60kg mass of Ali

2) Paul heavier than Natalie 4kg, draw 2 box for Paul (left box & right box). Right box label 4kg. Draw 1 more box for Natalie directly below the left box for Natalie.

Next, directly above Paul (left box & right box), draw another similar 2 box for Mike (since he got the same weight as Paul) and label the upper 2nd right box 4kg also.

Annotate the 5 box total to the right } 80kg

80kg-8kg=72kg
72/3= 24Kg 1 Unit/Box
Mike 24kg+4kg=28kg

Hope this help.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1679889https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1679889Mon, 16 May 2016 05:11:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Sat, 14 May 2016 04:13:11 GMT]]>This is P2 math questions:


1) the total mass of Ali and Joan is 130kg
the total mass of Ali and Julie is 120kg
Joan and Julie have a total mass of 130kg
What is the mass of Ali?

2) Paul is 4kg heavier than Natalie
Mike has the same mass as Paul
The 3 of them have a total mass of 80kg. Find Mike’s mass.

Thanks in advance.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1679248https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1679248Sat, 14 May 2016 04:13:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Tue, 10 May 2016 02:42:08 GMT]]>Wow...impressive explanation! I got it now, thanks very much for your advice! 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1677752https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1677752Tue, 10 May 2016 02:42:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Tue, 10 May 2016 01:47:15 GMT]]>Let work backwards based on your answer 52.


If answer is 52 for Annie at first. It mean Berry would have 52 books at first also. Then Berry bought twice as many books he had at first 52x2=104 books. At this point Annie gave 26 books(Based on 52 answer, she would have balance of 26 books left). So if, Annie left 26 book, how can 104 books be 6 times more than 26 books ???? Primary 2 kids are not taught 17.333books. It is not correct. This answer 52 will be correct if the statement \"Berry bought twice as many books he had at first\" is not included.

Let work backwards based on my answer 39.

If answer is 39 for Annie at first. It mean Berry would have 39 books at first also, Then Berry bought twice as many books he had at first 39x2=78 books. At this point Annie gave 26 books ( Based on 39 answer, she would have balance of 13 books left). so if, Annie left 13 books, 78 books will be 6 times more. 39 books is definitely correct. You should check with the teacher answer. Use the answer 52 books at first to work backwards , them ask if 52 books at first, twice of 52 = 104 books, how to be 6 times more than 26 books???

I am sure 39 books is correct. I do not know how to post my diagram here. Esle it will be self-explanatory. Cheers.

On the other hand, I could be wrong also because if you re-read Berry bought twice as many books he had at first TWICE as many books had at first could also mean if original is 52 books, twice of that amount 2x52 =104 then you need add 104 to 52 =156 books. Then in this case, 52 books answer will be correct since 156 books is 6 times of 26. It is really reading the English phrase twice as many books he had at first, how we correctly interpret it.

Tricky english question here 🙂 !

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1677731https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1677731Tue, 10 May 2016 01:47:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Mon, 09 May 2016 10:52:20 GMT]]>Thanks for much for your explanation,very detailed and easy to understand! However, the teacher told the class the answer is 52 instead, wondering if it could it teacher gave wrong answer?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1677542https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1677542Mon, 09 May 2016 10:52:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Mon, 09 May 2016 06:05:13 GMT]]>Wow this is definitely not a P2 school question! This is more for primary 3 level. They need to be able to do divide and multiply before they can answer this question. This question definitely need to draw diagrams and difficult to explain in words. It will be very very confusing in words. I try.


First, you need draw 2 equal box up and down since Annie(down) and Berry(up) had same number of books to explain to child.

Next, a NEW DIAGRAM you need draw Berry(up) with 2 equal box since now she bought twice as many books then at first and Annie(down) BUT with ONLY a box SHORTER than Berry 1 equal box since she gave away 26 books. The different between Annie and Berry 1 equal box you indicate with a arrow <------>gave 26 books. This arrow will end at the 1st equal box!

Next,the statement Berry had 6 times as many book as Annie. This mean the same 2 equal box that you draw earlier on now need to further draw lines to part it into 6 parts similar in size as the Annie SHORTER BOX. Basically, it more like splitting the 2 Equal Box left side to 3 parts and right side to 3 parts.

When the statement said Berry now had 6 times as many books as Annie. It actually mean Berry has 5 times box than Annie. Since the 1 box both have will cancel each other out. Next, if you read the statement Annie gave away 26 books and refer to your diagram. The 26 books is equal to 2 parts of the left side box. Hence 26/2=13. 1 unit=13 books. Henceforth, the original Annie 1 Box(had at first) is actually 3 parts, so 13x3=39books.

It is confusing to explain in words, but if you try to draw out what I suggest above, maybe it will help you to explain to your child better.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1677448https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1677448Mon, 09 May 2016 06:05:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Mon, 09 May 2016 04:39:04 GMT]]>Can I seek advice how to do this lower primary question? Is there a recommended method to make P2 child understand it? Thanks in advance.


Annie and Berry had an equal number of books at first. After Berry bought twice as many books as he had at first, and Annie gave away 26 books, Berry now had 6 times as many books as Annie. How many books did Annie had at first?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1677411https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1677411Mon, 09 May 2016 04:39:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:03:36 GMT]]>

willgtohelp:
There are two cylindrical candles. Candle A of a larger diameter was placed on a table. Candle B of a smaller diameter was placed on a 6cm candle stand so that it was of the same height as Candle A. Both candles were lit at 11 45. Candle A and Candle B burned down to the same height at 15 15 and 16 45 respectively. The rate of burning for each candle was constant throughout. Upon reaching the same height, Candle A took another 7 hours to burn out while Candle B took another 8 hours to burn out. Find the original height of Candle A.


Pls help. Thanks.
1145 1515 2215

Candle A |__________x_______|

Candle B ------______x_______|

1145 1645 0045

Candle A took 4 hours to burn from start to Point x.
Candle B took 5 hours to burn from start to Point x.

Therefore,
4 hours of A = 5 hours of B -> Eqn 1

Candle B took 8 hours to burn from Point X to end.

From Eqn 1,
5 hours of B = 4 hours of A
8 hours of B = 6.5 hours of A

When Candle B has burned for 8 hours (until the end), Candle A has burned for 6.4 hours.
Since Candle A took a total of 7 hours to burn finish, it's left with 0.6 hours more to burn.
This 0.6 hours more equate to the 6 cm candle stand that Candle B was on.

0.6 hours of A = 6cm
11 hours of A = 110cm

Original height of Candle A is 110cm.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1662200https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1662200Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:03:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Sat, 26 Mar 2016 13:22:00 GMT]]>There are two cylindrical candles. Candle A of a larger diameter was placed on a table. Candle B of a smaller diameter was placed on a 6cm candle stand so that it was of the same height as Candle A. Both candles were lit at 11 45. Candle A and Candle B burned down to the same height at 15 15 and 16 45 respectively. The rate of burning for each candle was constant throughout. Upon reaching the same height, Candle A took another 7 hours to burn out while Candle B took another 8 hours to burn out. Find the original height of Candle A.


Pls help. Thanks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1660192https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1660192Sat, 26 Mar 2016 13:22:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Thu, 22 Oct 2015 16:18:57 GMT]]>

Future Academy:
babycutie71:

Please help with this question.


In a library, 60% of the books are fiction books and the rest are non-fiction books. If another 48 fiction books are added to the collection, the number of fiction books will increase by 10%. How many non-fiction books are there in the library?


Hi, here is the solution:

let the no. of Fiction bks = 60u, then the no. of non-fiction bks = 40u,

then 48 bks added, no. of fiction book = 60u *110/100 = 66u,

hence 66u-60u = 48
6u=48,
1u=8,

Therefore, no. of fiction bks = 40*8 = 320

:rahrah:


Thank you.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1595502https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1595502Thu, 22 Oct 2015 16:18:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Tue, 20 Oct 2015 08:52:08 GMT]]>

babycutie71:
Please help with this question.


In a library, 60% of the books are fiction books and the rest are non-fiction books. If another 48 fiction books are added to the collection, the number of fiction books will increase by 10%. How many non-fiction books are there in the library?

Hi, here is the solution:

let the no. of Fiction bks = 60u, then the no. of non-fiction bks = 40u,

then 48 bks added, no. of fiction book = 60u *110/100 = 66u,

hence 66u-60u = 48
6u=48,
1u=8,

Therefore, no. of fiction bks = 40*8 = 320

:rahrah:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1594540https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1594540Tue, 20 Oct 2015 08:52:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Wed, 07 Oct 2015 07:09:10 GMT]]>Please help with this question.


In a library, 60% of the books are fiction books and the rest are non-fiction books. If another 48 fiction books are added to the collection, the number of fiction books will increase by 10%. How many non-fiction books are there in the library?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1589982https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1589982Wed, 07 Oct 2015 07:09:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Tue, 29 Sep 2015 00:42:49 GMT]]>

TeaBoh:
Hi MathsGuru


Can you explain?


Is \"0\" included in a natural number?

What about fraction/decimals? Are they included in natural number?

Thank you.
Some include '0' in the set of natural numbers; some don't.

Natural numbers are integers.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584850https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584850Tue, 29 Sep 2015 00:42:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Sun, 27 Sep 2015 12:02:43 GMT]]>Hi MathsGuru


Can you explain?


Is "0" included in a natural number?

What about fraction/decimals? Are they included in natural number?

Thank you.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584196https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584196Sun, 27 Sep 2015 12:02:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Sun, 27 Sep 2015 11:35:05 GMT]]>

surfsgan:
Need advice on P5 maths question.


Alex and Brat has equal number of sweets. Alex eats 7 and Brat eats 2 more than Alex.
After a number of days, Alex has 82 sweets left. Brat has 34 sweets left.
How many days had passed ?
How many sweets did Alex & Brat have?

TIA for advice.
7+2=9

82-34=48
48/2= 24

24x7+82=250

Likewise,

24x9+34=250

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584184https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584184Sun, 27 Sep 2015 11:35:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Sat, 18 Apr 2015 01:38:48 GMT]]>Three farmers had a total of 1728 cows on their farms. Farmer Beng bought some cows from Farmer Ali and as a result, Farmer’s Beng increased by 50%. Farmer Chow then bough some cows from Farmer Beng & Farmer Chow’s increased by 40%.

Finally, Farmer Chow sold some cows to Farmer Ali and Farmer Ali’s cow increased by 20%. In the end, they each had equal number of cows on thier farms. How many cows did Farmer Ali have it at first.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1491742https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1491742Sat, 18 Apr 2015 01:38:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tutor MathsGuru: Ask me for your burning Maths questions! on Sat, 18 Apr 2015 01:35:07 GMT]]>Billy had $200 more than Abdullah. In the morning, Billy gave some money to Abdullah and the ratio of Billy’s money left to the money he gave to Abdullah was 2:3. Later in the afternoon, Abdullah gave some money to Billy. The ratio of Abdullah’s money left to the money he gave to Billy was 3:1. In the end, Abdullah had $200more than Billy. How much money did Billy have at first.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1491740https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1491740Sat, 18 Apr 2015 01:35:07 GMT