Type 17 (Complete the Sum) and BODMAS

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Razzy
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2010 12:13 am

Type 17 (Complete the Sum) and BODMAS

Post by Razzy »

Hi All - just joined the forum!

As we are now preparing the nipper for the Kent Test I have been getting hold of various bits and pieces. I picked up a set of the Letts Practice Papers (Variety Pack 1 - A) - though planning to save them for nearer the time.

Working through the Verbal Reasoning paper I was shocked to find questions of the form:

If A= ..., B= ..., etc.
Write the answer to this sum as a letter:
B x C - A / C = ?

For which an acceptable answer can only be found by ignoring BODMAS rules and doing a naive left-right evaluation.

I queried this with HarperCollins who stated that:

"These questions follow the format used on the actual Nfer tests. That is, the pupil is expected to work from left to right performing each operation in sequence, rather than following the mathematical rules concerning order of operations."

They confirmed that their practice paper is done to match the way NFER set the paper.

Nothing in the instruction to the questions advised that left-right (rather than BODMAS) should be used. If this is actual NFER practice it seems [IMHO] to be extremely poor and creates a disadvantage for those who would naturally use proper [mathematical] reasoning [unless coached to pass the test]; and is somewhat ironic as it is used as a basis for selection to a Grammar school.

Is anyone able to confirm that this is NFER policy for this type of question?

[For some of the other questions in the set the equation was set out so that left-right and BODMAS were the same. Comparing with the Bond books, I see that they set this type of question out in a totally unambiguous way.]
sherry_d
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Location: Maidstone

Re: Type 17 (Complete the Sum) and BODMAS

Post by sherry_d »

My understanding of NFER VR papers is that they dont use brackets so for that reason you cant use BODMAS.
Impossible is Nothing.
yoyo123
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Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:32 pm
Location: East Kent

Re: Type 17 (Complete the Sum) and BODMAS

Post by yoyo123 »

yes it is left to right.
Ang's mom
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Joined: Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:17 am

Re: Type 17 (Complete the Sum) and BODMAS

Post by Ang's mom »

If brackets, use BODMAS and if there aren't any brackets, then do the calculations from left to right.
First-timer
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Joined: Wed Sep 23, 2009 1:47 pm
Location: Essex

Re: Type 17 (Complete the Sum) and BODMAS

Post by First-timer »

I'm surprised (and concerned) by this. BODMAS doesn't apply unless you can see brackets? This wasn't my understanding of BODMAS at all. I had a quick google and it looks to me like the wrong method is being used in these papers.
See:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesiz ... ise2.shtml

Left to right is fine if the operations are of equal rank, otherwise BODMAS applies.
yoyo123
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Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:32 pm
Location: East Kent

Re: Type 17 (Complete the Sum) and BODMAS

Post by yoyo123 »

I agree, but Nfer test papers do not use brackets and the calculations are done left to right..
presumably they are written that way so that L-R method can be used.


There was a discussion here
http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... mas#p81492
First-timer
Posts: 698
Joined: Wed Sep 23, 2009 1:47 pm
Location: Essex

Re: Type 17 (Complete the Sum) and BODMAS

Post by First-timer »

Thanks for that. I'll have a look. How annoying that we have to teach our DC the right method for the maths paper and then tell them to forget it for VR. :x
sherry_d
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Joined: Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:38 pm
Location: Maidstone

Re: Type 17 (Complete the Sum) and BODMAS

Post by sherry_d »

I dont think we get BODMAS in Maths NFER though First-Timer unless I am being a bit thick so that saves you the explaining for now at least. Then after the 16th of September you can tell them that was all rollocks and show them the right way of using BODMAS.
Impossible is Nothing.
First-timer
Posts: 698
Joined: Wed Sep 23, 2009 1:47 pm
Location: Essex

Re: Type 17 (Complete the Sum) and BODMAS

Post by First-timer »

Hi Sherry,

Problem is in Essex the Maths paper is set by the Consortium for Selectives Schools in Essex, not Nfer. The paper goes beyond what is taught in year 6. The VR paper is Nfer, though!
sherry_d
Posts: 2083
Joined: Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:38 pm
Location: Maidstone

Re: Type 17 (Complete the Sum) and BODMAS

Post by sherry_d »

oh sorry First Timer. I am thinking everyone on the forum is in Kent :) . I should have seen you are in Essex :oops:
Impossible is Nothing.
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