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Tag: Maths

  • PSLE Maths Question Weighs Heavily On Parents’ Minds

    PSLE Maths Question Weighs Heavily On Parents’ Minds

    HOW heavy are eight $1 Singapore coins? Six grams, 60g, 600g or 6kg?

    That question in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) mathematics paper on Friday has upset a number of people, including parents.

    At least one person suggested the question is not related to maths and that it must have baffled many pupils sitting the exam, Chinese evening daily Shin Min Daily News reported yesterday.

    The person, surnamed Lee, posted on the Ministry of Education’s Facebook page seeking clarification.

    “Are we having (an) IQ exam or maths exam?” wrote the Facebook user, who also believed there could be more than one answer since the candidates were not told the weight of each coin.

    According to a mother whose letter was published by Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao, the exam question has generated a lot of discussion among parents.

    “Our children found it difficult to answer,” wrote Yin Xiuping, who said many pupils simply resorted to perception and estimation.

    Some picked 600g because they had noticed how the pockets of their pants had sagged each time they placed coins in them, said Ms Yin.

    Some based their answer on the belief that the weight of eight $1 coins is close to that of a 500ml mineral water bottle, she added.

    But private tutors told Shin Min that such questions are not uncommon in primary school exams.

    “The question is in line with the maths syllabus. For example, pupils are taught to estimate the weights of objects such as a watermelon,” said Ann Tan.

    Some teachers have even brought their pupils to supermarkets where they can check out some common items first-hand, added Ms Tan.

    According to another tutor, who wanted to be known only as Ms Sng, many pupils still cannot answer such questions although they have appeared before in the PSLE.

    “Some parents want their children to only attend classes, take tuition and do their homework… They are not even allowed to make purchases on their own. But maths is all around us and children should learn from their surroundings,” said Ms Sng.

    Ms Yin wrote: “The conclusion among parents from this question is that their children should be made to do more housework so they could acquire basic knowledge on life.”

    And the answer to the question? Based on a photo showing eight $1 coins on a weighing machine, which Shin Min got from a reader, the coins weigh 61g.

     

    Source: http://mypaper.sg

  • Singapore Students Score Big In International Maths And Science Competition

    Singapore Students Score Big In International Maths And Science Competition

    Students from Singapore have performed well at International Olympiads for Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Informatics and Physics in the months of July and August, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on Tuesday (Aug 11).

    In the 28th International Young Physicists’ Tournament, the Singapore team clinched first place in a field of 27 countries – making them champions for the third year in a row. Koh Jin Ming from NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (HSMS), together with Shen Yu Jun, Lee Yu Tse, Wittmann Goh Ghin Fong and Lim Jun Heng from Raffles Institution (RI) represented Singapore in the tournament held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, from Jun 27 to Jul 4.

    The Singapore team won three gold medals and one silver medal at the 26th International Biology Olympiad, placing third overall out of 60 countries. Daniel Tan Chee Hian from Hwa Chong Institution, and Fong En Lei Samuel and Cheng Jia Geng from RI won the gold, while Theophila Toh Ying Lin from NUS HSMS won the silver. The competition was held in Aarhus, Denmark, from Jul 12 to 19.

    At the 47th International Chemistry Olympiad, Singapore placed eighth overall in a field of 75 countries, winning one gold medal and three silver medals. Li Bingjian from RI won the gold, while the silvers went to Kee Jing Yee from NUS HSMS, Kang Yi Cheng from RI and Lim Song Jie, Bram from Hwa Chong Institution. The Olympiad was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Jul 20 to 29.

    For the 56th International Mathematical Olympiad held in Chiang Mai, Thailand from Jul 4 to 16, Singapore was placed 10th overall out of 104 countries. The team won one gold medal, four silver medals and one bronze medal in the competition: RI’s Sheldon Kieren Tan won the gold; Lin Kewei David, Ma Zhao Yu and Tan Siah Yong from RI, together with Dylan Toh Shan Hong from the NUS HSMS won the silver; and the bronze went to Liu Yijia from RI.

    Singapore also placed 10th overall in the 46th International Physics Olympiad held in Mumbai India from Jul 5 to 12, out of a total of 83 countries. Chua Yee Shuen Darren from RI (Junior College) scored the only gold, while the four silver medals went to Garett Tok Ern Liang, Joel Tan Shi Quan and Joshua Lim Yong Kiat from NUS HSMS and Peter Yuen Ho Hin from RI (Junior College).

    In the International Olympiad in Informatics held in Almaty, Kazakhstan from Jul 26 to Aug 2, Singapore won one silver and three bronze medals, placing 27th overall out of 83 countries. The silver went to Teo Por Loong, Jacob from NUS HSMS; while the bronze medals went to Howe Choong Yin from NUS HSMS, and Feng Jiahai and Pang Wen Yuen from RI.

    The participation of students in these international science and mathematics and science competitions is a joint effort between MOE and DSO National Laboratories; Institute of Physics, Singapore; Singapore National Institute of Chemistry; Singapore Institute of Biology; Singapore Mathematical Society; National University of Singapore; and National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, said the ministry.

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com