Is your child struggling with the multi-step maths questions?
These questions are designed in the style of GL Assessment familiarisation papers, where problems often combine fractions, percentages, ratio and reasoning in one question.
Question 1 (Multi-step fractions + reasoning)
A class has 36 pupils.
2/3 are girls.
How many boys are in the class?
Answer:
Girls = 2/3 of 36 = 24
Boys = 36 − 24 = 12
Answer: 12
Question 2 (Fractions + percentages link)
What is 25% of 3/4 of 80?
Answer:
3/4 of 80 = 60
25% of 60 = 15
Answer: 15
Question 3 (Ratio + scaling)
The ratio of red to blue marbles is 3:5.
There are 40 marbles in total.
How many are red?
Answer:
Total parts = 3 + 5 = 8
1 part = 40 ÷ 8 = 5
Red = 3 × 5 = 15
Answer: 15
Question 4 (Decimals + fractions)
What is 0.6 of 75?
Answer:
0.6 = 6/10
75 ÷ 10 = 7.5
7.5 × 6 = 45
Answer: 45
Question 5 (Percentage increase)
A chair costs £40 and is increased by 15%.
What is the new price?
Answer:
10% of 40 = 4
5% of 40 = 2
15% = 6
New price = 40 + 6 = £46
Answer: £46
Question 6 (Reverse percentage – harder GL type)
A number is increased by 20% to give 60.
What was the original number?
Answer:
120% = 60
1% = 60 ÷ 120 = 0.5
100% = 50
Answer: 50
Question 7 (Word problem + time)
A train journey takes 1 hour 35 minutes.
It starts at 09:45.
What time does it arrive?
Answer:
09:45 + 1 hour = 10:45
10:45 + 35 minutes = 11:20
Answer: 11:20
Question 8 (Fractions + conversion)
A bottle contains 2 litres of water.
350ml is used.
How much is left in litres?
Answer:
2 litres = 2000ml
2000 − 350 = 1650ml
1650ml = 1.65 litres
Answer: 1.65 litres
Question 9 (Money + scaling)
3 notebooks cost £2.70.
How much do 7 notebooks cost?
Answer:
1 notebook = £2.70 ÷ 3 = £0.90
7 notebooks = 0.90 × 7 = £6.30
Answer: £6.30
Question 10 (Ratio reasoning)
180 sweets are shared in the ratio 2:3:5.
How many are in the largest group?
Answer:
Total parts = 10
1 part = 180 ÷ 10 = 18
Largest group = 5 × 18 = 90
Answer: 90
