An easy question on surplus and shortage for P2–P3, with a step-by-step solution, diagrams and the answer. Surplus-and-shortage questions appear in the Hua Xia Cup's P1 to P5 papers; harder ones become questions about distance and time.
The question
A teacher shares a box of pencils among 5 pupils, 2 each.
Afterwards there is 1 left in the box.
How many pencils were in the box at first?
Show the hints (2)
💡Hint 1: How many pencils went to the pupils altogether?
💡Hint 2: Pencils at first = pencils handed out + pencils left.
Worked solution
Have a go first, then read the solution step by step.
1.Handed out: 5 × 2 = 10.
2.Add the 1 left in the box: 10 + 1 = 11.
⚠️Common mistake: forgetting the 1 left over and answering 10.
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