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P6 Units and parts

Roller-skating race — Kai and Mia

Kai and Mia took part in a roller-skating race. Kai skated at a constant speed of 18 km/h. Both skaters kept the same speed throughout the race. When Mia had covered of the distance, Kai was 2.7 km ahead of her. Kai reached the finishing line at 8.52 a.m. What time did Mia reach the finishing line?

One step of the worked solution to Roller-skating race — Kai and Mia, drawn in pencil.
7 steps, 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. Double the entire halfway snapshot: constant speeds mean that when Mia's distance doubles to the whole race, Kai's 2.7 km extra distance also doubles to 5.4 km.

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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