Priya had some 20-cent stamps and Daniel had some 50-cent stamps at first. Priya used 25 of her stamps and Daniel used 56 of his stamps. After that, they had the same number of stamps left. The stamps they had left were worth $25.20 altogether.
- How many stamps did each of them have left?
- How much were Daniel's stamps worth at first?
Need a hint?
The same number of stamps left means you can pair one 20-cent stamp with one 50-cent stamp. Find the value of one pair first. For (b), what fraction of Daniel's stamps is left?
Worked answer
- (a) One stamp of Priya's and one of Daniel's are worth 20 + 50 = 70 cents.
- They have the same number of stamps left, so the stamps pair up. Each pair is worth 70 cents.
- The total left is $25.20 = 2520 cents.
- Number of pairs = 2520 ÷ 70 = 36. Each of them had 36 stamps left.
- (b) Daniel used 56 of his stamps, so 16 of them was left.
- 1 unit = 36 stamps, so 6 units = 36 × 6 = 216 stamps at first.
- Value = 216 × 50 cents = 10 800 cents = $108.
Answer: $108
The mistake this question tests
Habit
Fraction of a remainder
Many pupils work out 216 stamps and stop, forgetting to change the number of stamps into money. Others divide $25.20 by 2 as if the stamps had the same value.
How to fix it at home →Wrong answers children often give:
- 216 Left out the units
- $18 Fraction of a remainder
- $12.60 Calculation slip
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