Dumb math question

[1fast1]

 

That's an actual Pri 3 CA1 past year question from a branded Pri school. No options, so it's a free response question. What's your answer, and why?

 

I can think of three equally valid ways to do it (two obvious and one slightly less obvious), giving three different answers. In fact, none of these is truly correct since there's insufficient information to establish the implied metric, but whatever.

 

I wouldn't mind if challenging questions are set by those with a modicum of intelligence and judgement. But clearly, at least some of the question setters are falling short of the mark.

Edited February 2, 2013 by Turboflat4

[Babyckh]

My guess,

 

square = 100

 

triangle = 50

 

therefore 100+100+50+50=300?

 

 

[questionedfish]

300.

 

Two triangles equal one square. So total three squares = 300.

[1fast1]

OK, you're assuming the metric: area is proportional to value. That was my first response as well. And I guess it's the one that most kids would go for.

 

But why not:

 

number of sides is proportional to value? Ans: 100 + 100 + 75 + 75 = 350

 

And why not:

 

number of right angles is proportional to value? Ans: 100 + 100 + 25 + 25 = 250

 

Admittedly, the last one is less obvious, but you get my point, I hope. When a question is as ambiguous as this one, the smarter kids who think outside the proverbial box (even a little) are the ones who'll come off worse.

 

In fact, my friend considered other possibilities: why assume the implied bridging operation is a "sum". Why not a product? For that matter, why is the answer not a code? Why is the answer a single number instead of the string "100,100,50,50", for example.

 

I really wish they would stop setting questions like this. Storm in a teacup, I know, but it highlights a larger problem with the education system here - as they try to make the questions "smarter", some of them inevitably become dumber. And the problem is that only one answer is acceptable.

Edited February 2, 2013 by Turboflat4

[Swingarm]

One is ,300.. the other is 1001005050???

[Nicholas]

There are many ways to answer but you have to see that this is a pri 3 question, so you must think like a pri 3 student.

 

Other than the answer 300 based on area, other answers can be 100100050050, or u calculate the perimeter of the shapes.

[Happily1986]

That's an actual Pri 3 CA1 past year question from a branded Pri school. No options, so it's a free response question. What's your answer, and why?

 

I can think of three equally valid ways to do it (two obvious and one slightly less obvious), giving three different answers. In fact, none of these is truly correct since there's insufficient information to establish the implied metric, but whatever.

 

I wouldn't mind if challenging questions are set by those with a modicum of intelligence and judgement. But clearly, at least some of the question setters are falling short of the mark.

 

poor question. if you got it right, it simply meant that you had a good shot at getting your implied assumptions right. other than the topic on estimation, I really don't see why students should be penalised for have implicit assumptions that don't dovetail with the examiner's.

 

it's not even a question where one could leverage on his or her own common sense!

[1fast1]

poor question. if you got it right, it simply meant that you had a good shot at getting your implied assumptions right. other than the topic on estimation, I really don't see why students should be penalised for have implicit assumptions that don't dovetail with the examiner's.

 

it's not even a question where one could leverage on his or her own common sense!

 

Exactamundo!

[Babyckh]

I agree. Our education system is getting ridiculous.

 

They are just 10 years old kids and already getting stressed.

 

That's why the parents are getting kiasu nowadays with tuition and what-have-you.

 

I'm not surprise if MOE start teaching Biology or Chemistry in P3 in the near future.

[Nlatio]

I agree. Our education system is getting ridiculous.

 

They are just 10 years old kids and already getting stressed.

 

That's why the parents are getting kiasu nowadays with tuition and what-have-you.

 

I'm not surprise if MOE start teaching Biology or Chemistry in P3 in the near future.

 

You are too optimistic.... they will need to hand in a 100 page research paper on why and how the global warming have impact the life of millions..... when they reach the age of 7....

[Friendstar]

300

 

Don't think too much.

 

It could have been a class test on "area"

 

Give teachers a break ya?

[Ender]

Assumeing area is represented as 100, this is the obvious choice for primary level and it's absolute.

 

Using sides is not absolute as one side of the triangle is not the same length as the other 2.

 

Angles, maybe, But you want to be absolute, than got to take into account of the value that is represented by the non-right angle. Cannot just discard it as zero..

 

Area is simple...

Edited February 2, 2013 by Ender

[Watwheels]

Aiya. Just put the answer as "What do you think?" lor.

 

With such limited information on the question, any of your 3 possible answer can be correct.

 

Why our ppl are becoming so xenophobic? With this kinda of question, what do you think?

[Cheepo]

Answer: 200 and 2 triangles.

[Kurtselva]

If they are going to test this kind of questions, I think the students of the school would have been trained in class exercises for this type of qn. Like whether it is supposed to be a addition/multiplication/single valued answer/string answer etc etc.

 

That's why they might have omitted the unnecessary information as those students will know what type of answer they are expecting and how to answer..

 

And maybe they might also have omitted extra information to confuse others not from their school (Like TS)

[Jman888]

300

 

Don't think too much.

 

It could have been a class test on "area"

 

Give teachers a break ya?

 

 

agree the test is on shape and area.

[TheRationalVoice]

Valid question.

Similar to number representation in hieroglyphics or roman numerals.

If I = 1, and V = 5, then, VII equals ?

 

[Gee]

My pri2 dotter said 300.

I say its 1001005050 simply because there were no adding instruction, it's a code... Play puzzle games too much Wahahaha.