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Question P4–P5–P6 Units and parts

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

Water tank — from three-quarters full to half

A tank was full. After removing 15 litres, it was full. What is the capacity of the tank?

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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. Write both fillings in the same fraction — 1/2 is 2/4 — and the 15 litres stops being a mystery: it is the gap between 3/4 and 2/4, one quarter of the whole tank.

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

Standard Four classmates saved money for a class trip. Liam saved $15 less than Sara. Priya saved twice as much as Sara. Tom saved $9 less than Priya. Altogether the four classmates saved $126. How much did Tom save?
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