PSLE Math Applications Questions

The main aim of this math revision note is to help your child become better at solving
PSLE Math application questions.
These questions test your child on the ability to apply Math concepts to real life
scenarios.

1
PSLE Math Application Question 1
A group of 9 people booked a tennis court for 3 hours. They took turns to play. At any
time, 4 of the people played while the other 5 rested. Given that each of them had
the same amount of playing time, how long did each person play in the tennis court?
Give your answer in hours and minutes.

There are 4 slots in the tennis court. The court was booked for 3 hours.
So, 3 hours of play time are allocated for each slot.
3h x 4 slots = 12h
The 4 slots of 3 hours mean there is a total of 12 hours of play time on the court.
This total play time (12 h) is shared among the 9 people equally.
1
12h ÷ 9 = 1 3 ℎ
20
= 1 60 ℎ

= 1 ℎ 20 𝑚𝑖𝑛
Each person can play for 1 h 20 min.

2
PSLE Math Application Question 2
Mark needs some ribbons to tie 100 presents for a party.
Each present requires 75 cm of ribbon. If ribbons are sold at 5 m per tape, how many
tapes will he need?

Before I walk through the correct method, let me show you a common misconception
most students usually make.

Common misconception:
1 balloon requires → 75 cm
100 balloons require → 75 cm x 100 = 7500 cm = 75 m

Number of tapes 5 m of ribbons need → 1 tape

Number of tapes 75 m of ribbons need → 75 m ÷ 5 m = 15 tapes

Most students think that since 1 present requires 75 cm of ribbon, so all 100 balloons
will require 75 m of ribbons.
While this is not wrong, the problem comes when we use this 75 m to find the
number of tapes.
The problem arises because the tapes have a limited amount of length.
The tapes do not roll out “endless streams” of ribbons.
So, each tape can only provide 6 ribbons, each measuring 75 cm.
There is a remaining 50 cm from the tape that cannot be used as it is not long
enough to become that 75-cm ribbon.

3
This 50 cm will be discarded.
This is the reason why we cannot simplistically find out how many tapes the total
ribbon length (75 m) 100 presents require.
When students divide the total length 75 m by the 5 m in each tape, students are not
considering the remainder that cannot be “piece together” to form a full 75-cm ribbon
in real life.

Correct way:
5 m = 500 cm
Number of ribbons every tape can provide = 500 cm ÷ 75 cm
= 6 ribbons R 50 cm
Number of tapes = 100 ribbons ÷ 6 ribbons per tape
= 16 tapes R 4 ribbons
Number of tapes 100 presents need
= 16 tapes + 1 more tape (for the 4 remaining ribbons)
= 17 tapes

To Your Child’s Success,

Ms Nelly Ke
Math Specialist
Jimmy Maths and Grade Solution Learning Centre

4
 Does your child need help in his or her studies?
1) Live Zoom Lessons at Grade Solution Learning Centre

At Grade Solution Learning Centre, we are a team of dedicated educators whose

mission is to guide your child to academic success. Here are the services we
provide:

- Live Zoom lessons

- EdaptIQ™, a smart learning platform that tracks your child’s progress, strengths
and weaknesses through personalised digital worksheets.
- 24/7 Homework Helper Service

We provide all these services above at a very affordable monthly fee to allow as
many students as possible to access such learning opportunities.
We specialise in English, Math, and Science subjects.
You can see our fees and schedules here >>
Primary Math Tuition
Secondary Math Tuition

5
2) Pre-recorded Online courses on Jimmymaths.com

If you are looking for something that fits your budget, or prefer your child learn at his
or her own pace, you can join our pre-recorded online Math courses.
Your child can:
- Learn from recorded videos
- Get access to lots of common exam questions to ensure sufficient practice
- Get unlimited support and homework help
You can see the available courses here >>
Math Online Courses