How To Answer Maths Questions Clearly and Tidily
BEFORE ANSWERING
•
Make sure you are using a non-erasable pen (unless you are drawing a diagram or graph
- then use a pencil). This is matching what is expected from you in official exams.
•
On the question paper, underline what you are being asked to find.
Then, pause and plan; think about how the information you have been given might help
you find it.
This helps you focus on what really matters in the question and use what you know.
WHEN YOU ANSWER
•
Use "=" correctly. Every line containing an "=" sign must be a true mathematical
statement.
For extra tidyness, make the "=" signs line up one above the other.
Example:
Mr JC has 4 sweets. A student gives him 3 more sweets, then Mr JC eats
2 sweets.
How many sweets does he have left?
WRONG:
𝟒𝟒 + 𝟑𝟑 = 𝟕𝟕 − 𝟐𝟐 = 𝟔𝟔
This is wrong because (4+3) does not equal (7-2).
CORRECT:
𝟒𝟒 + 𝟑𝟑 = 𝟕𝟕
𝟕𝟕 − 𝟐𝟐 = 𝟓𝟓
Notice how each line is a true mathematical fact.
•
Show how you use formulas. Write the formula first, then substitute the values.
Example:
A triangle has a base of 4 cm and a height of 3 cm. Calculate its area.
𝟏𝟏
𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃
𝟐𝟐
𝟏𝟏
= (𝟒𝟒)(𝟑𝟑)
𝟐𝟐
𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨 =
AFTER ANSWERING
= 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝒎𝒎𝟐𝟐
•
Check your answer.
•
Check for common mistakes.
•
Re-read the question. Look carefully for units, rounding instructions, and other
details you may have missed.
•
If the answer is written in an answer space, draw a box around your final answer.
•
Make it a habit to draw the box only after you have purposefully checked your work.