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P6 Units and parts

Kayaking race — Ben and Farah

Ben and Farah took part in a kayaking race. Ben paddled at a constant speed of 24 km/h. Both of them did not change their speed throughout the race. When Farah had covered of the distance, Ben was 3 km in front of her. Ben crossed the finishing line at 9.20 a.m. What time did Farah cross the finishing line?

One step of the worked solution to Kayaking race — Ben and Farah, drawn in pencil.
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The pattern behind it: Units and parts

Cut one amount into equal shares. One number tells you what a share is worth.

In this one. Compare the time each racer needs for one half: Ben's 3 km lead converts into a 7.5-minute gap, and constant speeds make that same gap occur again in the second half.

In allone share

Also uses: Same time, same distance

How to spot it

A single amount is split by a ratio, a fraction or a percentage. One extra number gives you the leftover, the difference, or the value of one share.

Common mistake

Children match the given number to the wrong number of shares, using the whole bar when the number covers only the leftover or the difference between two people's shares.

Try one like it

Standard A bicycle's price — the percentage increase A bicycle shop increased the price of a bicycle from $650 to $780. What is the percentage increase?
All 16 with this pattern →

The 33 problem patterns

All 33 patterns, one to a page — the 19 behind Primary 5 and 6 word problems, and the skills the younger years are built on. The bar model, how to spot it in the question, and the mistake children make. A booklet you can print. Free.

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