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Question P5–P6 Units and parts

Today’s problem — free all day, every step. Every day has one.

John's salary — rent, food and savings

John's salary is $3,200. He spends 40% on rent, 25% on food, and saves the rest. How much does he save each month?

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About this method

Units and parts

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

In this one. Add the two spending percentages before doing any money arithmetic — then "the rest" is a single subtraction from 100%, instead of two separate amounts to work out and take away.

In allone share

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.

Practise a similar question

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