Choosing Maths Tools · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Picking the Right Maths Tool

Mathematics · Mathematical Thinking · ages 10-11
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Using long division, what is 96 divided by 4?

    Answer: ______________

  2. Which method suits 4,752 divided by 13?

    • Counting on fingers
    • Guessing
    • A written long division method
    • Measuring with a ruler

  3. Which is the best way to solve 4,752 ÷ 13?

    • Use long division on paper
    • Solve it entirely in your head
    • Skip-count by 13 until you reach 4,752

  4. A coordinate grid can help you check whether a shape has moved to the correct place.

    Circle one:   True   False

  5. What is 4,752 divided by 12 using an efficient written method?

    Answer: ______________

  6. Priya needs to check that a triangle moved 3 right and 2 up correctly. What is the best tool to check this precisely?

    • Coordinate grid
    • Mental estimate
    • Guess and check

  7. To check a translation, Omar plots the shape on a coordinate grid instead of trusting a written description. Why is the grid the better tool?

    • It uses more colours
    • It is always faster
    • It avoids all numbers
    • It shows the exact new position

  8. Dan translates a triangle and checks it by recomputing coordinates from memory. Priya says plotting both positions on a grid would verify it more reliably. Is Priya right?

    Circle one:   True   False

  9. Tom solves 6,384 ÷ 8 in his head and says the answer is 793. He wrote nothing down. What is the safest way to check his answer?

    • Trust the mental answer since he seems confident
    • Redo it using long division to track each step
    • Round the numbers and skip checking

  10. Ella estimates 4,752 divided by 13 by computing 4,800 divided by 12 instead. What estimate does she get?

    • 300
    • 400
    • 500
    • 365
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Picking the Right Maths Tool W1-mt_ZJC7JnnPCu-s1

  1. 24 · The answer is 24 because 4 times 24 equals 96.
  2. A written long division method · A written long division method suits it because the numbers are far too big for mental tricks.
  3. Use long division on paper · The numbers are too big to hold in your head reliably. Long division keeps each step visible and checkable.
  4. True · Plotting the points before and after the move lets you see exactly where the shape landed.
  5. 396 · The answer is 396 because 12 times 396 equals 4,752.
  6. Coordinate grid · Plotting the points on a grid shows the exact position, instead of relying on a rough guess.
  7. It shows the exact new position · It shows the exact new position: plotted points prove where the shape landed.
  8. True · Priya is right. The grid shows both positions at once, so mistakes stand out.
  9. Redo it using long division to track each step · Mental maths on large numbers is easy to get wrong without noticing. A written method checks every step.
  10. 400 · 400 is her estimate because friendly numbers 4,800 / 12 divide cleanly to 400.
Worksheet · LightMySky