Pearl S. Buck Math Problems
Grade 6
Based on PSSA Samples & PA Academic Standards for Math
(Students should not use calculator for problems #1 and #2)
2.2.6 Computation and Estimation
Numerical Estimation
D. Estimate solutions of problems involving whole numbers and decimals and check the reasonableness of
those estimates.
1.
Tom wanted to buy some books written by Pearl Buck. The Good Earth cost $23.50
and The Big Wave cost $11.23. If he had $70.00 to spend, what is the closest estimate
of how much money he will have left?
A.
B.
C.
D.
$10
$20
$30
$40
$11.23 rounded to $10.00
$23.50 rounded to $20.00
$23.50 and $11.23 rounded to $30.00
correct 2.2.6 Computation and Estimation
Numerical Estimation
D. Estimate solutions of problems involving whole numbers and decimals and check the reasonableness of
those estimates.
2.
In 1928, Pearl Buck had $79.80 to spend on supplies in order to write The Good Earth.
She had to buy the following supplies:
Typewriter
Paper
Stapler
Pencils
Typewriter ribbons
$23.88
$ 8.14
$ 4.59
$ 3.30
$16.20
What is the closest estimate of how much money she had left over after buying the
items?
A.
B.
C.
D.
$20.00
$21.00
$24.00
$26.00
rounded each to the nearest 5
rounded all numbers up
correct
rounded all numbers down
520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA 18944-3000 · 215-249-0100 · 215-249-9657 (fax) · www.pearlsbuck.org
Welcome House® · Opportunity House · Pearl S. Buck House Pearl S. Buck Math Problems
Grade 6
Based on PSSA Samples & PA Academic Standards for Math
2.1.6 Numbers, Number Systems and Number Relationships
Place Value
D. Apply place value concepts to order and compare decimals; use the number line to order and compare decimals, fractions,
and mixed numbers.
3.
When Pearl Buck was a child she liked to do calligraphy. She used several calligraphy
brushes that weighed different amounts.
Brush
Brush
Brush
Brush
1 weighed
2 weighed
3 weighed
4 weighed
3.511 ounces
2.998 ounces
3.091 ounces
3.089 ounces
Which brush has the greatest weight?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Brush 1
Brush 2
Brush 3
Brush 4
correct
2.1.6 Numbers, Number Systems and Number Relationships
Number Theory
E. Apply number theory concepts to calculate the Greatest Common Factor and/or Least Common Multiple of two numbers.
4.
A librarian is making a display of books written by Pearl Buck by placing the books on
shelves.
• The librarian has more than 20 books.
• The librarian can put 8 books on each shelf with no books left over.
• The librarian could also put 20 books on each shelf with no books left over.
Which is the least number of books that the librarian could display?
A.
B.
C.
D.
28 books
40 books
80 books
160 books
numbers from stem
correct
multiple of 8 and 20
multiple of 8 and 20
520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA 18944-3000 · 215-249-0100 · 215-249-9657 (fax) · www.pearlsbuck.org
Welcome House® · Opportunity House · Pearl S. Buck House Pearl S. Buck Math Problems
Grade 6
Based on PSSA Samples & PA Academic Standards for Math
2.3.6 Measurement and Estimation
Calculations
C. Use given measurements to calculate a missing length, perimeter, area, and/or volume; Calculate elapsed time
across am/pm and across days.
5.
Pearl Buck would sometimes need to travel from Green Hills Farm to her apartment in
New York City in order to attend meetings about publishing her books. If she arrived at
the New York City apartment at 8:30AM on May 18th and left the apartment on May
20th at 1:00 PM, how long did she stay in the apartment?
A.
B.
C.
D.
5 hours, 3 minutes
7 hours, 3 minutes
28 hours, 57 minutes
52 hours, 57 minutes
8:00 to 1:00 + 3 minutes
8:03 – 1 hour
8:03 to 1:00 + 1 day
correct
2.3.6 Measurement and Estimation
Calculations
C. Use given measurements to calculate a missing length, perimeter, area, and/or volume; Calculate elapsed time
across am/pm and across days.
6.
Normally Pearl Buck would write for several hours every morning in her office.
However on one day she began writing at 9:15 A.M. and finished at 10:08. She did not
take any breaks during this time. How many minutes did she write on that day?
A.
B.
C.
D.
53 minutes
57 minutes
67 minutes
93 minutes
correct
15-8=7; 50+7=57
10-9=1; 15-8=7; 1 hr 7 min = 67 min
10.08 – 9.15= 0.93 as 93 minutes
2.3.6 Measurement and Estimation
Concept of Measurement
A. Use models to illustrate the meaning of perimeter, area, and volume.
7.
One of the Chinese Oriental rugs in Pearl Buck’s living room is 12 feet long and 10 feet
wide. What is the perimeter of this carpet?
A.
B.
C.
D.
22 feet
44 feet
88 feet
120 feet
12 + 10
correct
22 x 4 sides
12 x 10
520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA 18944-3000 · 215-249-0100 · 215-249-9657 (fax) · www.pearlsbuck.org
Welcome House® · Opportunity House · Pearl S. Buck House Pearl S. Buck Math Problems
Grade 6
Based on PSSA Samples & PA Academic Standards for Math
2.9.6 Geometry
Definitions, Properties, and Relations
A. Identify, define, label and/or describe properties of 1-, 2-, and 3- dimensional shapes and their related parts, and classify
and compare 2- and 3- dimensional shapes on the basis of their properties.
8.
Mrs. Loris was a house keeper for Pearl Buck. She would sometimes call the many
children to dinner by ringing an outside triangle that had angles of 90 degrees, 45
degrees and 45 degrees. What type of triangle would this be?
A.
B.
C.
D.
9.
Acute
Obtuse
Scalene
Isosceles
correct
There are many different shapes in the in the patterns of the Oriental Carpets in Pearl
Buck’s house. Which shape has the greatest number of sides?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Decagon
Pentagon
Heptagon
Quadrilateral
correct
5 sides
7 sides
4 sides
2.9.6 Geometry
Definitions, Properties, and Relations
A. Identify, define, label and/or describe properties of 1-, 2-, and 3- dimensional shapes and their related parts, and classify
and compare 2- and 3- dimensional shapes on the basis of their properties.
10.
One of Pearl Buck’s sons was trying to figure out her age. He wrote an equation to
help him answer this question. Her age is represented by “m”.
m – 12 = 35
Which operation solves the equation for “m”?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Add 12 to both sides
correct
Subtract 12 from both sides
Multiply both sides by 12
Divide both sides by 12
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