From the creators of

MATHEMATICS

PSLE
Revision Guide
2nd Edition

Bonus + Coloured and detachable

concept maps!
+ Two Exam Practice Papers!

The most complete handbook for PSLE!

 Includes questions which require the use of calculators

Michelle Choo

(M)PSLE_Rev_Title.indd 1 Jun/26/13 6:03 PM

 What Parents Need to Know About the
PSLE Mathematics Examination

What is a Good Examination Paper?

Parents and pupils must understand that the PSLE is an assessment that measures
how much pupils have learnt in their six years in school and is also used as a gauge
to measure their performance against the other pupils taking the same examination.
A good examination paper is not determined by whether it is easy or difficult, but
whether it truly measures what it sets out to do. If a paper is easy and everybody
scores high marks, then it is not a good paper as it does not reflect how well a pupil
has learnt compared to others.

Format of the PSLE Mathematics Examination Paper

The examination paper is divided into 2 papers: Paper One (non-calculator) and
Paper Two (calculator).

Paper One is made up of Section A and Section B (Part 1). Section A comprises 15
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). These are questions that test pupils’ understanding
and application of basic concepts. Pupils have to shade the correct answer in the
Optical Answer Sheet (OAS) using a 2B pencil. The Optical Answer Sheet is machine
marked.

Section B comprises two sections (Part 1 and Part 2) and is also used to test pupils’
understanding and application of basic concepts. In Section B (Part 1), pupils fill in
the answers in the spaces provided (questions 16 to 25). Marks are awarded solely
for correct answers and not for working. For questions 26 to 30, 1 mark is awarded
for working and 1 mark for the answer. As such, pupils must show how they derived
their answers. Questions in this section may be multi-stepped. Note that the use of
calculators is not allowed in Paper One.

Paper Two is made up of Section B (Part 2) and Section C. In Section B (Part 2),
pupils are also tested on their understanding and application of basic concepts.
Pupils must also show their working steps in this section. In Section C (questions
36 to 48), the word problems test the application of concepts. Pupils are required
to show how their answers are derived and most of the marks will be awarded for
working. Questions in this section are multi-stepped and are usually more difficult
than questions in Section B. Pupils will need to apply heuristic skills to solve questions
in this section. Note that the use of calculators is allowed in Paper Two.

The questions in the PSLE Mathematics paper are generally designed such that the
questions for each section are arranged from those employing basic concepts to
those that are more challenging. The paper is designed such that a pupil who has

iv Mathematics PSLE Revision Guide © 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited

(M)PSLE_Rev_Need2know.indd 4 11/3/08 9:22:43 AM

 studied for the examination and understands the concepts will be able to obtain a
pass mark easily.

To obtain an ‘A’ grade, pupils are required to know how and when to apply the basic
concepts that have been taught. To apply these concepts correctly, pupils need to
understand the questions and apply the different heuristic skills they have learnt.
Pupils are also required to solve very challenging non-routine questions whereby
they have to use more than one heuristic skill to solve these questions.

Tips for Tackling the Examination

Always start with Paper One as the questions are relatively easier than those in Paper
Two. The first few questions for each section always test pupils’ understanding of
basic concepts. Pupils who have studied for the examination should be able to solve
these questions easily, thereby boosting their confidence when they are faced with
the more challenging questions in Section C.

Never begin the paper by tackling the word problems in Section C. If pupils start off
with the word problems and do not fare well, they are unlikely to do well in Sections
A and B (Parts 1 and 2) when they attempt these at a later stage. In addition, pupils
tend to spend too much time on the word problems so much so that it compromises
the time needed for them to complete Sections A and B (Parts 1 and 2).

Pupils are also advised not to spend too much time attempting questions in Section
A. They need to move on so as to score as many marks as possible. Thus the technique
is to first attempt the questions they can answer and return to those questions they
have problems with only after that.

Some Other Advice

Pupils may use the Guess and Check method as the last resort to solve problems.
When using Guess and Check, it is important to label the graphs, tables, etc. so that
the examiners understand the steps in the working.

Pupils and parents must remember that for word problems in Section C, only 1 mark
is awarded for the correct answer, while the rest of the marks are allocated for
working. Hence, it is critical that pupils show how their answers are derived.

Most pupils tend to lose marks due to carelessness. Very often, this can be attributed
to untidiness and/or when they rush through the paper. If they are untidy, pupils
tend to transfer errors and calculation mistakes to their working and answers. This
may also make it difficult for the examiners to understand the pupil’s working, and
therefore cause pupils to lose marks they could have otherwise gained from showing
the working.

© 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited Mathematics PSLE Revision Guide v

(M)PSLE_Rev_Need2know.indd 5 11/3/08 9:22:43 AM

 How To Use this Book
Dear pupil and parent,
The PSLE Mathematics Revision Guide (2nd Edition) is your answer to concise and
precise revision for the PSLE. This revision guide strictly follows the latest primary
school mathematics syllabus issued by the Ministry of Education, and is a structured,
all-in-one guide that directs pupils in their revision with the following features:
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Properties Of A Square, A Rectangle, A Triangle,

A Parallelogram, A Trapezium And A Rhombus

Square
A B

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A square has 4 equal sides.
d Ex
Wor ke
AB = BC = CD = DA
All the angles in a square are right angles.
⬔ABC = ⬔BCD = ⬔CDA = ⬔DAB = 90°
triangle.
ACE is an isosceles
, not drawn to scale,
1. In the figure below 106°. Find ⬔ADE
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AC = CE, ⬔BED =
C
A
A B

• Worked examples are 106°

B

A square has 2 pairs of parallel lines.

AB // DC and AD // BC.

questions with step-by- E 47°

C
Triangles ABC, BCD, CDA and DAB are
right-angled isosceles triangles.

step solutions. Pupils D C

are guided to work (1) 80°

D
(2) 74°
(4) 17° ( ) Good To Know
(3) 27°
out the questions by Mark out importa
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in the
Do you know that a square is actually a special rectangle?

information given
Solution
utilising important
.
question on the diagram
Method 1
106° (vertically opposit
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⬔ECD = ⬔ACB =

Unit 6
− 47° E F
⬔ADE = 180° − 106°
concepts and methods. Method 2
= 27°

An isosceles triangle
has two equal sides
and the base angles
.
A rectangle has 2 pairs of parallel lines.
EF // HG and EH // FG.
A rectangle also has 2 pairs of equal sides.
angles in the diagram
⬔ACE = 180° − 106° out these sides and EF = HG and EH = FG.
are equal. So mark
= 74° Geometry •
⬔CAE = ⬔CEA isosceles triangle) ⬔EFG = ⬔FGH = ⬔GHE = ⬔HEF = 90°
(base angles of an
= (180° − 74°) ÷ 2 Triangles EFG, FGH, GHE and HEF are
)
= 53° of angles in a triangle right-angled triangles. G
− 47° − 53° (sum H
⬔ADE = 180° − 53°
= 27°

Ans: Option (3)

Common Error
− 47°
⬔ADE = 180° − 53° © 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited Mathematics PSLE Revision Guide 131
= 80° of the
one of the base angles
the 53° which is
Pupils omit one of
isosceles triangle .
e) Private Limited (M)PSLE_Rev_U6.indd 131 5/5/09 12:03:00 PM
International (Singapor
© 2009 Marshall Cavendish
Revision Guide
138 Mathematics PSLE

5/5/09 1:37:40 PM

• Good to know provides additional

138
(M)PSLE_Rev_U6.indd

• Common error highlights information about a topic or

misconceptions that pupils often concept, which aims to stimulate
have, which in turn lead to careless pupils’ interests in the topic.
mistakes. These point out the common This complements key concepts
mistakes they tend to make. covered in the revision notes.

vi Mathematics PSLE Revision Guide © 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited

(M)PSLE_Rev_KeyFeature.indd vi 6/17/09 5:15:37 PM

 • Heuristics-based questions are questions
Symmetry
All the figures below are called symmetrical figures.
that involve reasoning and logical deduction.
These figures have been divided into equal halves by lines of symmetry.

The figures below have 1 line of symmetry.

MOE has stressed the need for this category
of questions. The PSLE Mathematics Revision
Guide (2nd Edition) has an entire chapter
dedicated to heuristics-based questions
line of symmetry
The figure below has 2 lines of symmetry. The star has 5 lines of symmetry. and provides 1 or 2 worked examples for
each heuristic. Similar practice questions are
given on that heuristic as reinforcement.
The figures below are non-symmetrical.
34 mm

at ni
gh t.
Place a rectangular
mirror on the line of
Unit 11
symmetry to check
if the figures are
symmetrical.

HEURISTICS
QUESTIONS -BASED
”.
ours

Maths At Home
Use coloured papers, fold them
Parental Tip
• Parental tips
into halves or quarters.
provide suggestions
4

at Help your child to identify

e left
Act It Out
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n. H Cut with a pair of scissors. the dotted lines which

Tow
form the lines of symmetry
Then unfold. Worked Examp
3h
What do you notice?
for these cut-outs.
to parents on how A net of a cub
le 1
•

e is shown
below.
ration

3 p.m
. 130 Mathematics PSLE Revision Guide © 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited
they can facilitate
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it co tion
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Unit 11
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37 m
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p.m.
that reinforce concepts that (i)
(ii)
(iii)
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TINE
© 2009 Marsh
all Cavendish
International
(Singapore) Privat
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ROU
Mathematics
PSLE Revis
ion Guide
non- 227

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or
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ingap Section A – Calculato
nal (S
ish In
ternatio rs are NOT allowed
ll Ca
vend Questions 1 to 10 on. in this secti
arsha carry 1 mark each.
09 M For a question, four Questions 11 to
© 20
options are given 15 carry 2 marks
Make your choic each.
e (1, 2, 3 or 4). Shad . One of them is the correct answ
Optical Answer e the correct oval er.
Sheet. (1, 2, 3 or 4) on
the

1. Simplify 35 – 5 × (20 marks)

2 + 20 ÷ 4.
(1) 10

• Detachable coloured (3) 30 (2) 20

(4) 50

concept maps are useful 2. When x = 8, find

the value of 3x + 2x
4
– 15.
(1) 11 1
for pupils when doing 2
(3) 17 1
(2) 13
2
(4) 30
a quick revision prior to 3. The figure show
s part of a post
which is used for
their examinations. These of water. What is
(1) 15.42 m
the height of the measuring the heigh
water level indica
ted by the post?
t
(2) 15.47 m
are summaries of key (3) 15.53 m
(4) 15.70 m
15.5 m

concepts for each chapter. 15.4 m

268 Exam Practice Paper

1
© 2009 Marshall Cavendis
h International (Singapo
re) Private Limited

© 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited Mathematics PSLE Revision Guide vii

(M)PSLE_Rev_KeyFeature.indd vii 6/17/09 5:15:40 PM

 Contents

Unit 1 Whole Numbers 1

Unit 2 Fractions 27

Unit 3 Decimals 49

Unit 4 Money and Mensuration 68

Unit 5 Statistics 109

Unit 6 Geometry 127

Unit 7 Average, Comparison of Quantities and Speed 158

Unit 8 Ratio 175

Unit 9 Percentages 197

Unit 10 Algebra 217

Unit 11 Heuristics-Based Questions 227

Unit 12 Non-Routine Questions 251

Appendix 256

viii Mathematics PSLE Revision Guide © 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited

Content(viii-x)new.indd 8 10/30/08 5:43:22 PM

 Examination Tips for the Pupil 263

PSLE Exam Practice Paper 1 267

PSLE Exam Practice Paper 2 291

Solutions 315

Concept Maps

Whole Numbers 359

Fractions 361

Decimals 363

Money and Mensuration 365

Geometry 367

Statistics 371

Average, Comparison of Quantities and Speed 371

Ratio 371

Percentages 373

© 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited Mathematics PSLE Revision Guide ix

Content(viii-x)new.indd 9 10/30/08 5:43:22 PM

 Unit 1

Unit 1
WHOLE NUMBERS

Whole Numbers •
What you need to know
• Counting in hundred thousands up to 1 million
• Number notation and place values
• Odd and even numbers
• Comparing and ordering numbers up to 10 million
• Approximation and estimation
• Factors and multiples
• Multiplication and division
• Order of operations

Counting In Hundred Thousands Up To 1 Million

One hundred thousand, two hundred thousands,

three hundred thousands, four hundred thousands

1000 000
900 000
800 000
700 000
600 000
500 000
400 000
300 000
200 000
100 000

© 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited Mathematics PSLE Revision Guide 1

01 Unit 1new.indd 1 10/30/08 1:34:32 PM

 How many hundred There are 10 one hundred
thousands are there thousands in 1 million.
in 1 million? 1 Million
10 Hundred Thousands
100 Ten Thousands
1000 Thousands
10 000 Hundreds
100 000 Tens

How many tens are There are 100 000

there in 1 million? tens in 1 million.

Number Notation And Place Values

Reading Numbers

Let’s find out what each

digit stands for.

Number In Words
1 234 567 One million, two hundred and thirty-four thousand,
five hundred and sixty-seven

2 Mathematics PSLE Revision Guide © 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited

01 Unit 1new.indd 2 10/30/08 1:34:33 PM

 Place Value

Unit 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7 Ones 7
6 Tens 60

Whole Numbers •
5 Hundreds 500
4 Thousands 4000
3 Ten thousands 30 000
2 Hundred thousands 200 000
1 Million 1 000 000

Odd And Even Numbers

Odd Numbers
Odd numbers are numbers that cannot
be divided exactly by 2.
For example, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13.

103, 245, 287, 999, 1117 are some

other examples of odd numbers.

Odd numbers always end with 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9.

Even Numbers
Even numbers are numbers that can be divided
exactly by 2.
For example, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12.

132, 258, 554, 996, 1000 are some

other examples of even numbers.

Even numbers always end with 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8.

© 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited Mathematics PSLE Revision Guide 3

(M)PSLE_Rev_U1.indd 3 5/4/09 5:51:31 PM

 Comparing And Ordering Numbers Up To 10 Million
Comparing Numbers
When we do comparison, it is important to
study the place values of each digit carefully.

Let us find out which number is greater: 456 789 or 457 698.

Since the digits in the hundred

thousands and ten thousands
are the same, we move on to
compare the thousands.

Hundred Ten Thousands Hundreds Tens Ones

Thousands Thousands
4 5 6 7 8 9
4 5 7 6 9 8

7 Thousands is greater than 6 Thousands

So, 457 698 is greater than 456 789.

Rounding Off Numbers

Rounding Off to the Nearest Ten
33 38

30 35 40

Both 33 and 38 are

between 30 and 40.

33 is nearer to 30 than to 40.

38 is nearer to 40 than to 30.

Therefore,
33 becomes 30 when rounded off to the nearest ten.
38 becomes 40 when rounded off to the nearest ten.

4 Mathematics PSLE Revision Guide © 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited

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