Mathematics

Average

The most common mistakes Singapore primary students make in Average, distilled from 74+ MOE-aligned questions across P5, P6. Free practice at every level.

From the question bank

Top 10 mistakes in Average

  1. #1Misconception

    This is the total, not the average.

    Seen in 3 questions

  2. #2Misconception

    Confused the new average (20 kg) with the answer to the question.

    Seen in 1 question

  3. #3Misconception

    Confused the original average (24 kg) with the heaviest box itself.

    Seen in 1 question

  4. #4Partial logic

    Computed the total mass of the remaining 5 boxes (5 × 20 = 100 kg) and gave that as the heaviest box mass, confusing total with a single value.

    Seen in 1 question

  5. #5Calc error

    Divided total by 5 instead of 4 days.

    Seen in 1 question

  6. #6Misconception

    This comes from subtracting the two averages: 84 − 80 = 4. You cannot subtract averages directly. Find the total for each group: original total = 5 × 84 = 420, new total = 6 × 80 = 480, sixth number = 480 − 420 = 60.

    Seen in 1 question

  7. #7Calc error

    This uses 5 instead of 6 as the count for the new group: 84 × 5 − 80 × 5 = 420 − 400 = 20. After adding the sixth number there are 6 numbers, so the new total is 80 × 6 = 480.

    Seen in 1 question

  8. #8Calc error

    This uses 6 instead of 5 as the count for the original group: 84 × 6 − 80 × 6 = 504 − 480 = 24. The original group had only 5 numbers, so the correct original total is 84 × 5 = 420.

    Seen in 1 question

  9. #9Misconception

    Assumed each of the 3 new boys must weigh the new average 44 kg.

    Seen in 1 question

  10. #10Calc error

    Used the increase of 4 kg in average multiplied by 9 boys = 36 kg, then divided by 3 = 12 kg, then added to 36 to get 48 kg.

    Seen in 1 question

Free practice

Practise Average by level

Practise every Average question — plus 75,000+ across all PSLE topics — with full worked solutions and misconception-specific feedback on Superholic Lab.

Start Free Trial — 7 Days FreeBrowse all PSLE topics →