{"id":244598,"date":"2024-05-06T16:00:29","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T08:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/?p=244598"},"modified":"2025-02-04T17:24:32","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T09:24:32","slug":"solving-p5-math-word-problem-sums-with-the-assumption-method","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/solving-p5-math-word-problem-sums-with-the-assumption-method\/","title":{"rendered":"Solving P5 Math Word Problem Sums With The Assumption Method"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first thing I tell my students to do whenever they are faced with Math word problems is to read the question and underline the keywords.<\/p>\n

You may have heard this tip, but sometimes when I receive my students\u2019 papers, I see that they underline everything!<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83e\udd14\u00a0What Exactly Does Underlining Keywords Mean?<\/strong> \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n

It means that when we remove all the other words that are not underlined, we should still have the information required to solve the question.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In this blog post, you will learn how highlighting the correct keywords can guide you in solving word problems using the Assumption Method<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n

Let’s Take A Look At This P5 Math Question<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

How To Underline Keywords In Math Problem Sums<\/span><\/h2>\n

Take a look at the first sentence in the question: Eunice has a total of 100 notes in her purse.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The keyword is not her purse or the person. The keyword in the first sentence is the total number of notes she has<\/strong>. In this case, let us underline the phrase total of 100 notes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The next thing we should check is the types of notes that Eunice has. In the next sentence, it says that she has $10 notes<\/strong> and $50 notes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s proceed to the next sentence: Given that the total value of the notes is 2,120\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

We found another key piece of information here! Let\u2019s underline the total value of her notes. She has a total of $2,120<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Lastly, we want to know what the question is asking so we can derive a plan on how to solve the question. It is asking for the total number of $50 notes<\/strong> that Eunice has.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Read Also:<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. P5 Math Problem-solving Technique: Unit X Value Method<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Beginner\u2019s Guide To Cross Multiplication<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

    Can We Use The Guess And Check Method?<\/span>
    <\/h2>\n

    Now that we have analysed the question, we need to come up with a plan.<\/p>\n

    How do we solve this question?<\/p>\n

    For this type of question, most students will say, \u201cTeacher, I want to do Guess and Check.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \n

    \u2705\u00a0What Is Guess And Check? \u2705<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Guess and Check is a problem-solving strategy in which you guess the answer to the problem and check to see if it is correct.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    However, some students struggle with using this technique because they do not know what to guess and what to check.<\/p>\n

    Aside from this, some are clueless about which strategy to use to identify the patterns \u2014 should the value of their guesses decrease or increase?<\/p>\n

    However, if we do not know the answers to these questions, we will be guessing blindly and take a long time to solve one question!<\/p>\n

    We cannot spend too much time trying to solve just one question during the Math examinations so Guess and Check might not be the best method for solving this question<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Assumption Method<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Instead of Guess and Check, we can use the Assumption Method to solve this question faster.<\/p>\n

    So how do we know when we can use the Assumption Method?<\/p>\n

    \n

    \ud83e\udd14\u00a0When To Use The Assumption Method? \ud83e\udd14<\/strong><\/p>\n

    You can use the Assumption Method when you have the following information:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Total Units<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Individual Value<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Total Value<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n

      The first thing we need to know is the Total Units<\/span> which is given in the first sentence. We know that Eunice has 100 notes<\/span>.<\/p>\n

      Second is the Individual Value<\/span>. Eunice has two types of notes \u2014 $10<\/span> and $50<\/span>.<\/p>\n

      Lastly, we need to know the Total Value<\/span>. What is the total value of all her 100 pieces of notes? It\u2019s $2,120<\/span>.<\/p>\n

      \"The<\/p>\n

      With these three pieces of information from the question, we know that we can use the Assumption Method!<\/p>\n

      \n

      \ud83e\udd14 What Is The Assumption Method? \ud83e\udd14<\/strong><\/p>\n

      It is an answering technique in which you make an assumption based on the given information.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

      In this case, we will assume that Eunice has a certain number of $10 and $50 notes.<\/p>\n

      Making An Assumption<\/span><\/h2>\n

      Let\u2019s assume that all her 100 notes are $50 notes!<\/p>\n

      However, we would know that this is not the case by checking the total value that she will have.<\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      But Eunice only has $2,120, not $5,000! So our assumption is wrong.<\/p>\n

      Assumption VS Actual<\/span><\/h2>\n

      In this case, let us draw a model to illustrate our assumption versus the actual amount that she has.<\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      When we assumed all the 100 notes to be $50, she would have $5,000. But actually, Eunice has some $50 notes and some $10 notes. We do not know how many pieces of each note she has, but the total value is $2,120.<\/p>\n

      Let us draw the same model and break down the total value into individual notes.<\/p>\n

      For our assumption, let\u2019s say her first note is $50, the second note will be another $50, and so on until it reaches the 100th note.<\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      For the<\/span> Actual case<\/span>, Eunice has some $50 notes and some $10 notes. Let\u2019s say the first and second notes are $50. Then, let\u2019s change the next two notes and say that they are $10, and so on until we reach the 100th note.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      When you compare the models for our assumption and the actual case, you will see that there are a lot of gaps in the second model<\/span> highlighted in blue.<\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      To fix this, we are going to push our $10 notes to the left side of our illustration so that the gaps will be pushed to the other end, as illustrated by the blue highlights in the model below.<\/p>\n

      Meanwhile, the $2,120 will be made up of your $50 and $10 notes.<\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      TED Method<\/span><\/h2>\n

      Now, let\u2019s use the TED Method to compute.<\/p>\n

      \n

      \ud83d\udca1<\/span>\u00a0What Is The TED Method<\/strong>?<\/span>\ud83d\udca1<\/span><\/p>\n

      It is an answering structure used when solving using the Assumption Method.<\/p>\n

      When using the TED Method, you compute for the following:
      1\ufe0f\u20e3<\/span> T<\/span><\/strong>otal Value of Assumption
      2\ufe0f\u20e3<\/span> E<\/span><\/strong>ach Gap\u2019s Value
      3\ufe0f\u20e3<\/span> D<\/span><\/strong>ifference between Assumption and Actual<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

      Let\u2019s recap. We assumed that all 100 notes are $50 notes so the Total Value<\/strong> in our assumption is $5,000.<\/p>\n

      Now, let us compute the value of Each gap<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      Each gap is worth $40!<\/strong><\/p>\n

      We know that the total value of our assumption is $5,000 and the actual total value is $2,120. Can you compute their difference<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      Therefore, the gaps are worth $2,880<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      Let\u2019s now find out how many gaps take up $2,880.<\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      There are 72 gaps.<\/p>\n

      Each gap means we changed $50 to $10. So one gap is one $10.<\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      We now know the total number of $10 notes, but the question wants us to find out how many $50 Eunice has.<\/p>\n

      Eunice has 100 pieces of notes and now, we know that 72 of them are $10 notes. How many pieces are $50 then?<\/p>\n

      \"How<\/p>\n

      Therefore, Eunice has 28 pieces of $50 notes.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      How Can This Question Be Tested Differently?<\/span>
      <\/h2>\n

      Let\u2019s take a look at the different variations of examination questions that will still require you to use the Assumption Method.<\/p>\n

      For example, instead of asking for the total number of $50 notes, some examination questions will ask you for the total number of $10 notes<\/strong>, so make sure to read the question carefully!<\/p>\n

      Conclusion<\/h2>\n

      Knowing the fastest way to solve Math problem sums is crucial, especially with the limited time you have during the examinations.<\/p>\n

      I hope that after reading this blog post, you will be able to spot the identifiers (Total Units<\/span>, Individual Value<\/span>, Total Value<\/span>) so you\u2019ll know when to use the Assumption Method.<\/p>\n

      \n

      \ud83e\uddd0<\/span>\u00a0Did you know that you can use the Assumption Method for these P5 Math topics?<\/span><\/strong> \ud83e\uddd0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \ud83d\udcaf<\/span> Whole Numbers
      \ud83c\udf55<\/span> Ratio
      \ud83d\udca8<\/span>\u00a0Rate<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

      Stay tuned for more articles that help you tackle challenging Math questions.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Math GAP” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”0px||” custom_padding=”0px||” global_module=”244058″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#898989″ admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/The-Pique-Lab-Grade-Accelerator-Programme.-CTA.png” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#333333″ text_font_size=”18px” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      If you like our methodology, we’ve some ongoing weekly Math classes:<\/p>\n

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      P5 Mathematics Grade Accelerator Programme<\/b><\/a>
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      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      In this article, we’ll be discussing how to use the Assumption Method to solve this P5 Math Word Problem Sums.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":244600,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"modified_by":"Jaimie Aberia","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244598"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=244598"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244598\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":245896,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244598\/revisions\/245896"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/244600"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=244598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=244598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=244598"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=244598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}