Module 3 Calculating
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Can I explain and record my method when I use a calculator to solve a problem?

Example review questions

Nine cartons of juice

  • Jim wants 9 cartons of juice for a party. His wife says it will be cheaper to buy 10 cartons on special offer and to have one spare. Is she right? Solve this problem, explaining and recording your method.
  • What calculation will you key into your calculator to find the missing number? Explain how you know. 21.97 ÷ empty box = 16.9
  • Billy saves £2.25 a week to buy a game that costs £12. How many weeks will it take to save enough? Explain how you got your answer.
  • How many 20p pieces make £35.80? Explain your method.

 

Teaching guidance

This teaching guidance document suggests some of the key vocabulary, models, images and practical equipment that children should experience and be able to use. It also includes some teaching tips to provide a few starting points for ways of supporting children with this area of mathematics.

PDF file Teaching guidance: Can I explain and record my method when I use a calculator to solve a problem? | 52KB new window

Consolidation and practice

These resources are to support children in guided or independent work. Roll over the highlighted resource for a description.

EXE file Empty box program | 874KB new window

PDF file Calculator activities | 2MB new window

XLS file Flexible problems spreadsheet | 205KB new window

XLS file Money problems spreadsheet | 96KB new window

DOC file Word problem activity | 45KB new window

Visit the nrich website new window for further activities to support practice and application.

Empty box program

image alt text here

This ICT-based tool can be used by children to practise and consolidate multiplication, division, addition and subtraction, and to develop understanding of inverse operations and when not to use a calculator. Different activities, numbers of questions and operations can be selected to vary the level of challenge.

Opportunities to use and apply

Possible contexts include:

  • Word problems, e.g. Erasers weigh 23 g each. They come in a pack of 50. The box weighs 10.5 g. How much will the pack weigh altogether?
  • Money problems, e.g. I buy 15 sheets of card that cost 24p each. Use a calculator to work out how much change I will get from £5.
  • Shape problems involving area and perimeter, e.g. The perimeter of a rectangular pool is 86 m. The pool is 27.5 m long. How wide is it?
  • Problem solving questions involving trial and improvement, e.g. The same digit is missing from each box. What is it?
    2empty box5 × empty box8 = 89empty box0
  • Missing number calculations: empty box + 35.2 = 101.19

PDF file 'Mathematics challenges' Year 5 and Year 6: | 1.2MB new window Jack's book; Cola in the bath

Confirming learning

Use a calculator to solve these problems. Explain your method and record each step:

  • Martyn wants to buy some 35p stamps. Work out how many stamps he can buy with £10.
  • The letters A, B and C stand for three numbers. A is double B. C is double A. Work out the value of A if A × B × C = 27,000 using trial and improvement.
  • At a snack bar, Jay buys three sandwiches that cost £1.75 each. He buys a carton of juice for 85p and a milkshake for £1.20. How much change will he get from a £20 note?
  • 320 people attend a school concert. 1/4 of the people are children. The tickets for the concert cost £3.50 for adults and £2 for children. How much ticket money does the school collect?