The P5 MATH OLYMPIAD PROGRAMME is a 10-session (each session 1.5 hrs, weekly) programme to introduce P5 students to techniques and skills involved in solving non-routine P5 Math questions. As some of these P5 Math Olympiad questions are also similar to the difficult math questions found in the PSLE, the heuristics learnt in this course will be useful to these students when they enter P6.
It is widely agreed that some of the non-routine or difficult PSLE Math questions are very similar to Primary Math Olympiad questions. Thus to get an A-Star for PSLE Math it may be necessary to acquire some Primary Math Olympiad problem-solving skills. Hence we encourage ALL primary school students to attend some kind of math Olympiad training before they take their PSLE Math exam. Math Olympiad is not just for students who are currently doing well in Math; we believe it is for EVERY primary student.
Primary Math Olympiad skills may also be useful to students taking the GEP or DSA selection tests.
Level/Subject: P5 MATH OLYMPIAD
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 4 pm – 5.30 pm
Location: Blk 644, Bukit Batok Central, #01-68. S(650644).
(Our location is just a 3-min walk from either the Bukit Batok MRT station or the Bukit Batok Bus Interchange. Buses that stop along the roads surrounding our location are numbers 157, 178, 66, 506, 173, 174, 176, 187, 985. Buses services which terminate at Bukit Batok Bus Interchange are 61, 77, 106, 173, 177, 189, 852, 941, 945, 947)
The objectives of the programme are as follows:
- To introduce students to heuristics commonly used in Primary Math Olympiad
- To give students confidence in solving non-routine or difficult Math problems.
- To train students to look at Math problems from multiple angles.
- To train students in analytical thinking and logical reasoning.
Focus: CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING & METACOGNITION
Format: Teaching + Worksheets + Discussions
Total Course Fee: $320
TO REGISTER, SMS <STUDENT NAME> , <P5MOLYMP> TO 97860411.
As places are limited, pre-payment is encouraged to confirm your attendance. You can make payment by visiting the centre at the address above.
P4 MATH OLYMPIAD Programme starts on 28 July
The P4 MATH OLYMPIAD PROGRAMME is a 10-session (each session 1.5 hrs, weekly) programme to introduce P4 students to techniques and skills involved in solving non-routine P4 Math questions. As some of these P4 Math Olympiad questions are also similar to the difficult math questions found in P5 or in the PSLE, the heuristics learnt in this course will be useful to these students in their later primary years.
It is widely agreed that some of the non-routine or difficult PSLE Math questions are very similar to Primary Math Olympiad questions. Thus to get an A-Star for PSLE Math it may be necessary to acquire some Primary Math Olympiad problem-solving skills. Hence we encourage ALL primary school students to attend some kind of math Olympiad training before they take their PSLE Math exam. Math Olympiad is not just for students who are currently doing well in Math; we believe it is for EVERY primary student.
Primary Math Olympiad skills may also be useful to students taking the GEP or DSA selection tests.
Level/Subject: P4 MATH OLYMPIAD
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 4 pm – 5.30 pm
Location: Blk 644, Bukit Batok Central, #01-68. S(650644).
(Our location is just a 3-min walk from either the Bukit Batok MRT station or the Bukit Batok Bus Interchange. Buses that stop along the roads surrounding our location are numbers 157, 178, 66, 506, 173, 174, 176, 187, 985. Buses services which terminate at Bukit Batok Bus Interchange are 61, 77, 106, 173, 177, 189, 852, 941, 945, 947)
The objectives of the programme are as follows:
- To introduce students to heuristics commonly used in Primary Math Olympiad
- To give students confidence in solving non-routine or difficult Math problems.
- To train students to look at Math problems from multiple angles.
- To train students in analytical thinking and logical reasoning.
Focus: CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING & METACOGNITION
Format: Teaching + Worksheets + Discussions
Total Course Fee: $290
TO REGISTER, SMS <STUDENT NAME> , <P4MOLYMP> TO 97860411.
As places are limited, pre-payment is encouraged to confirm your attendance. You can make payment by visiting the centre at the address above.
P3 MATH OLYMPIAD Programme starts on 27 July
The P3 MATH OLYMPIAD PROGRAMME is a 10-session (each session 1.5 hrs, weekly) programme to introduce P3 students to techniques and skills involved in solving non-routine P3 Math questions. As some of these P3 Math Olympiad questions are also similar to the difficult math questions found in P5 or in the PSLE, the heuristics learnt in this course will be useful to these students in their later primary years.
It is widely agreed that some of the non-routine or difficult PSLE Math questions are very similar to Primary Math Olympiad questions. Thus to get an A-Star for PSLE Math it may be necessary to acquire some Primary Math Olympiad problem-solving skills. Hence we encourage ALL primary school students to attend some kind of math Olympiad training before they take their PSLE Math exam. Math Olympiad is not just for students who are currently doing well in Math; we believe it is for EVERY primary student.
Primary Math Olympiad skills may also be useful to students taking the GEP or DSA selection tests.
Level/Subject: P3 MATH OLYMPIAD
Day: Mondays
Time: 4 pm – 5.30 pm
Location: Blk 644, Bukit Batok Central, #01-68. S(650644).
(Our location is just a 3-min walk from either the Bukit Batok MRT station or the Bukit Batok Bus Interchange. Buses that stop along the roads surrounding our location are numbers 157, 178, 66, 506, 173, 174, 176, 187, 985. Buses services which terminate at Bukit Batok Bus Interchange are 61, 77, 106, 173, 177, 189, 852, 941, 945, 947)
The objectives of the programme are as follows:
- To introduce students to heuristics commonly used in Primary Math Olympiad
- To give students confidence in solving non-routine or difficult Math problems.
- To train students to look at Math problems from multiple angles.
- To train students in analytical thinking and logical reasoning.
Focus: CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING & METACOGNITION
Format: Teaching + Worksheets + Discussions
Total Course Fee: $290
TO REGISTER, SMS <STUDENT NAME> , <P3MOLYMP> TO 97860411.
As places are limited, pre-payment is encouraged to confirm your attendance. You can make payment by visiting the centre at the address above.
Course Outline:
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Tricks in Addition and Subtraction |
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Tricks in Multiplication and Division |
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Working Backwards |
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Finding Cubes |
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Using Logic |
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Looking for a Pattern |
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Solve by Comparison and Replacement |
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Solving Using Model |
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Speed – Catching Up & Encountering |
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Practical Problems |
P4 MATH OLYMPIAD JUNE HOLIDAY ENRICHMENT
The P4 MATH OLYMPIAD JUNE HOLIDAY ENRICHMENT is a 4-day (each day 1.5 hrs) programme conducted during the June school holidays to introduce P4 students to techniques and skills involved in solving non-routine P4 Math questions. As some of these P4 Math Olympiad questions are also similar to the difficult math questions found in P5 or in the PSLE, the heuristics learnt in this course will be useful to these students in their later primary years.
It is widely agreed that some of the non-routine or difficult PSLE Math questions are very similar to Primary Math Olympiad questions. Thus to get an A-Star for PSLE Math it may be necessary to acquire some Primary Math Olympiad problem-solving skills. Hence we encourage ALL primary school students to attend some kind of math Olympiad training before they take their PSLE Math exam. Primary Math Olympiad skills may also be useful to students taking the GEP or DSA selection tests.
Level/Subject: P4 MATH OLYMPIAD
Dates: Tue 2/6, Wed 3/6, Thur 4/6, and Fri 5/6 (four 1.5 hr sessions)
Time: Mornings 11.00 am – 12.30 pm
Location: Blk 644, Bukit Batok Central, #01-68. S(650644).
Our location is just a 3-min walk from either the Bukit Batok MRT station or the Bukit Batok Bus Interchange. Buses that stop along the roads surrounding our location are numbers 157, 178, 66, 506, 173, 174, 176, 187, 985. Buses services which terminate at Bukit Batok Bus Interchange are 61, 77, 106, 173, 177, 189, 852, 941, 945, 947.
The objectives of the programme are as follows:
- To introduce students to heuristics commonly used in Primary Math Olympiad
- To give students confidence in solving non-routine or difficult Math problems.
- To train students to look at Math problems from multiple angles.
- To train students in analytical thinking and logical reasoning.
Focus: CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING & METACOGNITION
Format: Teaching + Worksheets + Discussions
Fee: $120
TO REGISTER, SMS <STUDENT NAME> , <P4MOLYMPJUN> TO 97860411.
As places are limited, pre-payment is encouraged to confirm your attendance. You can make payment by visiting the centre at the address above.
P3 MATH OLYMPIAD JUNE HOLIDAY ENRICHMENT
The P3 MATH OLYMPIAD JUNE HOLIDAY ENRICHMENT is a 4-day (each day 1.5 hrs) programme conducted during the June school holidays to introduce P3 students to techniques and skills involved in solving non-routine P3 Math questions. As some of these P3 Math Olympiad questions are also similar to the difficult math questions found in P5 or in the PSLE, the heuristics learnt in this course will be useful to these students in their later primary years.
It is widely agreed that some of the non-routine or difficult PSLE Math questions are very similar to Primary Math Olympiad questions. Thus to get an A-Star for PSLE Math it may be necessary to acquire some Primary Math Olympiad problem-solving skills. Hence we encourage ALL primary school students to attend some kind of math Olympiad training before they take their PSLE Math exam. Primary Math Olympiad skills may also be useful to students taking the GEP or DSA selection tests.
Level/Subject: P3 MATH OLYMPIAD
Dates: Tue 2/6, Wed 3/6, Thur 4/6, and Fri 5/6 (four 1.5 hr sessions)
Time: Mornings 9.15 am – 10.45 pm
Location: Blk 644, Bukit Batok Central, #01-68. S(650644).
Our location is just a 3-min walk from either the Bukit Batok MRT station or the Bukit Batok Bus Interchange. Buses that stop along the roads surrounding our location are numbers 157, 178, 66, 506, 173, 174, 176, 187, 985. Buses services which terminate at Bukit Batok Bus Interchange are 61, 77, 106, 173, 177, 189, 852, 941, 945, 947.
The objectives of the programme are as follows:
- To introduce students to heuristics commonly used in Primary Math Olympiad
- To give students confidence in solving non-routine or difficult Math problems.
- To train students to look at Math problems from multiple angles.
- To train students in analytical thinking and logical reasoning.
Focus: CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING & METACOGNITION
Format: Teaching + Worksheets + Discussions
Fee: $120
TO REGISTER, SMS <STUDENT NAME> , <P3MOLYMPJUN> TO 97860411.
As places are limited, pre-payment is encouraged to confirm your attendance. You can make payment by visiting the centre at the address above.
That ‘P5’ becomes S3 Math Olympiad Question – When is Cheryl’s birthday? – An in-depth discussion
The answer is indeed July 16, but I found most of the explanations given so far so confusing that many people end up being more confused. Here I will attempt to explain to you why the answer is July 16. Let’s replace Albert with A, Bernard with B, and Cheryl with C. Now the question becomes as follows:
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A and B just become friends with C, and they want to know when her birthday is. C gives them a list of 10 possible dates.
May 15 , May 16, May 19
June 17, June 18
July 14, July 16
Aug 14, Aug 15, Aug 17
C then tells A and B separately the month and the day of her birthday respectively.
A: “I don’t know when C’s birthday is, but I know that B does not know too.”
B:”At first I don’t know when C’s birthday is, but I know now.”
A:”Then I also know when C’s birthday is.”
So when is C’s birthday?
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The best way to understand why the answer is July 16 is to, at all times while analysing this question,
(1) remember that A knows that the MONTH of C’s birthday is July and B knows that the DAY of C’s birthday is 16.
(2) remember to think the way A and B would think, not the way YOU would think.
The significance of A’s statement “I know that B does not know too.”
Why is A so sure that B doesn’t know? Because, A knows the month is July, and July can be either July 14 or July 16. This means A knows that B has been told the number 14 or 16, and since both numbers appear twice, B wouldn’t be able to pinpoint the exact birthdate.
However, by letting out that B doesn’t know for sure, A has actually given B a strong clue. What is that clue? The clue (for B) is, the month cannot be May or June. Why? B is now thinking: IF the month has been revealed to A as May, then A wouldn’t be so sure that I (B) don’t know, because I could have been told the number 19 and I would know! (because there is only one 19). Similarly, B would be thinking: IF the month has been revealed to A as June, then A wouldn’t be so sure that I (B) don’t know, because I could have been told the number 18 and I would know! (because there is only one 18). Thus B would say to himself: It cannot be may or june (else A wouldn’t be so sure that I don’t know). So I will look at July and August. I (B) know it is 16, and there is only one 16 left! So it must be July 16.
This caused B to say “I know now”. : )
The significance of B’s statement “I know now.”
A suddenly realises that B suddenly knows the answer after A’s first statement. A is now thinking: how did B know? A realised that B has discovered that the month is either July or August. A is now thinking: since B CAN pinpoint exactly, then the number that B knows cannot be 14, since both July 14 and August 14 exist. So July 14 is out! But I (A) KNOW that it IS July, so it must be July 16! (the only July date left).
That is why A finally said, “THEN, I also know when C’s birthday is.”
In conclusion, it can be seen that B could find out only AFTER A had said that B didn’t know, and A could only determine C’s birthday AFTER B had said that B was able to pinpoint the answer after A’s first revelation.
Ok, now please take Panadol or go to sleep or both.
Rgds,
Ilyasa
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If you want to practise your logic deduction skills further, you may try some easier permutations of the above question as listed below.
Question 2:
B:”I don’t know when C’s birthday is.”
A:”Then I know.”
B:”Then I know too.”
So when is C’s birthday?
(Answer is at far bottom of page)
Question 3:
B:”I don’t know when C’s birthday is.”
A:”Neither do I.”
B:”At first I don’t know, but now I know.”
A:”Oh thanks. Now I know too.”
So when is C’s birthday?
(Answer is at far bottom of page)
ANSWERS: Q2: June 17; Q3: August 17.
Challenging PSLE Math Weekly Workshop is now held every Saturday morning
For our latest timetable, click here => 
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ORIGINAL POST(OUTDATED):
Please note that the following weekly workshop is now held on Saturday mornings instead of Wednesday evenings.
Level/Subject: PSLE Challenging Math
Day/Time: Every Saturday, 9.00 am to 10.30 am ( 1.5 hrs)
Location: Blk 627 Bukit Batok Central #07-640
Focus: Difficult Concepts, Strategies, Heuristics, Olympiad
Fees: $150 for every four sessions.
Class Size: 2 to 8 students.
Tutor: Mr Ilyasa; M.Ed (NIE), PGDE (NIE), BSc (NUS), Ex-RI/RJC; ex-sch teacher, full-time tutor of PSLE, O and A Level Math and Physics. (h/p: 97860411)
A former secondary school Physics teacher, Mr Ilyasa has been coaching students in ‘A’ Level (H2/H1) Physics and (H2/H1) Mathematics for more than 7 years, as well as ‘O’ Level Physics, Additional Math, Math and PSLE Math for more than 10 years. An alumnus of RI and RJC, Mr Ilyasa holds a Bachelor of Science degree with Merit from the National University of Singapore, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education with Credit from the National Institute of Education, Singapore, and a Master of Education (Curriculum & Teaching) degree also from the NIE, Singapore.
To register, kindly call or send an sms to 97860411.
Challenging PSLE Math Programme for Medium to High Ability Students
For our latest timetable, click here =>
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ORIGINAL POST(OUTDATED):
After conducting the PSLE Math Intensive Revision workshop during the recent March holidays, where I taught a wonderful group of students some of the more difficult concepts found in PSLE Math as well as metacognitive approaches to problem solving, some parents have asked me to continue conducting a weekly challenging PSLE math programme, as the next PSLE Math Intensive Revision in June is too far away.
For this challenging math program, I will be teaching students the more difficult concepts necessary to excel in PSLE Math, as well as the strategies and heuristics commonly employed to solve them. I will also be exposing students to P6 Math Olympiad questions as some of the most difficult PSLE Math questions are modified Primary Math Olympiad questions. Details of the weekly programme are as follows:
Level/Subject: PSLE Challenging Math
Day/Time: Every Saturday, 9.00 am to 10.30 am ( 1.5 hrs)
Location: Blk 627 Bukit Batok Central #07-640
Focus: Difficult Concepts, Strategies, Heuristics, Olympiad
Fees: $150 for every four sessions.
Class Size: 2 to 8 students.
Tutor: Mr Ilyasa; M.Ed (NIE), PGDE (NIE), BSc (NUS), Ex-RI/RJC; ex-sch teacher, full-time tutor of PSLE, O and A Level Math and Physics. (h/p: 97860411)
A former secondary school Physics teacher, Mr Ilyasa has been coaching students in ‘A’ Level (H2/H1) Physics and (H2/H1) Mathematics for more than 7 years, as well as ‘O’ Level Physics, Additional Math, Math and PSLE Math for more than 10 years. An alumnus of RI and RJC, Mr Ilyasa holds a Bachelor of Science degree with Merit from the National University of Singapore, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education with Credit from the National Institute of Education, Singapore, and a Master of Education (Curriculum & Teaching) degree also from the NIE, Singapore.
To register, kindly call or send an sms to 97860411.