11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi,

DD is trying to do this question but can't find the answer as the answer coming is decimal


Is there is some mistake in the question.

If A=3, B=6, C=8, D=9,E=12,
what is the answer to this sum written as a letter
E/C x B +A = [ ]

They should follow BODMAS

or

Left to Right

Regards


Sonia

Morning Sonia,
I do belive that they are NOT required to use BO(I)DMAS at 11+. However, apart from a very limited amount of rogue questions, most of them result the same, with our without BIDMAS.

In this case,

If A=3, B=6, C=8, D=9,E=12,
what is the answer to this sum written as a letter
E/C x B +A = [ ]

12/8 = 3/2,

3/2 x 6 = 9

9 + 3 = 12

The answer is E.
Tagore

Sonia wrote:If A=3, B=6, C=8, D=9,E=12,
what is the answer to this sum written as a letter
E/C x B +A = [ ]

Do it left to right

12/8 x 6+3 =

12/8 =1.5
1.5 x 6 = 9
9+3 = 12

12 is E

E

always left to right for GL papers

I can't see how BODMAS would give you a different answer in this question.

Multiplication and division are on an equal footing so when there are both you just work left to right even using BODMAS.

Then Addition and Subtraction are on an equal footing, but both behind multiplication and addition. When there are both you again work left to right.

This thread has slightly worried me because DS has just been preparing for the 11+ on his own. We had a tutor come for a couple of sessions but decided it was not worth it. However, he also told DS to work left to right and ignore BODMAS. I got quite cross about it because I didn't believe that could be right and told DS to ignore him. But are we really saying that there might be maths questions that you have to do 'wrong' and just work left to right? I need to know what to tell DS for Saturday now.

(Sorry for the lack of introduction, I've been reading for a while and feel like a member. Thanks for all the help you have unwittingly given me!)

JRM wrote:But are we really saying that there might be maths questions that you have to do 'wrong' and just work left to right? I need to know what to tell DS for Saturday now.

If it is a GL Assessment test there has never been a report of an ambiguity on the real paper.

This set of 4 practice papers was published quite hurriedly and they do have a few small glitches - just occasional questions that aren't quite in the usual format rather than errors.

(Sorry for the lack of introduction, I've been reading for a while and feel like a member. Thanks for all the help you have unwittingly given me!)

You are very welcome!

Phew. He's starting to seem stressed anyway so I'll not bother him by even mentioning it.
They are GL tests and we are in Lincs so that will be the test he sits. This time next week it (well VR) will all be over