GCE O level 1955

Tried this just now…..56445688. Oh dear!

heslop01
My wife, whos exam paper in 1955 opened this thread, saw your post and amazed herself by arriving at 56555688. (checked it on the calculater AFTERWARDS)

It’s strange in a way to see how different your maths questions were to mine in 2007.

I thought my students here in Taiwan were amazing at maths but this might have beaten them. But they also do all of their work mentally, no calculators involved.

A question from 1st grade elementary school in Taiwan is long multiplication: what’s 5932 x 9534

Is the answer 1 Goat, 5 Chickens and a Gerbil?

Neither do I, but 22/3 = 264d + 3d = 267d (not 5283 – were you thinking 2400d per shilling, instead 12?) x 160,000,000.
Actually, I took the initial amount in £s, divided by 10 (2s =1/10 of £1,) divided that figure by 8 (3d = 1/8 of 2/- ,) then added the three amounts together :-
1,600,000 + 160,000 + 20,000 = 1,780,000, but I have no idea if that’s how rateable value is calculated, either.

The question asked you for the revenue produced and your answer is correct, of course. Rateable value is an arcane figure calculated by ancient local authority retainers in the town hall dungeons, based on the perceived rents properties attract. The amount in the pound levied on this value produces council income.

Based on the above o level questions, can anyone tell me, in detail, how the much critised for dumbing down questions, differed? or should I start a new thread?

no wonder I got bad results, my paper was marked by the lady that made the puddings!!

Someone mentioned having to read exam questions back then, very carefully. I do remember being tripped up like this and felt it was unnecessary. The questions were hard enough. What were they testing you on anyway, your maths or reading ability?

When we were approaching O-levels, our maths master went to great lengths to warn us to stick to the “proper” way to do the papers; he said that, due to the number of examinees, everybody was drafted in to help with the marking, even the canteen staff (I think he was joking, but we were very careful during our “mock” exams.)

Don’t think £ S and D will mean much to her!!

Does anyone know Carol Vordemans email ? I could then ask her to check the answers!
Honestly just reading the questions gives me a headache.
Someone mentioned having to read exam questions back then, very carefully. I do remember being tripped up like this and felt it was unnecessary. The questions were hard enough. What were they testing you on anyway, your maths or reading ability?

Guess all this LSD has muddled my brain. 😀

22s =5280d + 3d 5283d x 1600000 =35200000 / 240 = £3,522.000
But have no idea, if that’s the correct way to do it..

Neither do I, but 22/3 = 264d + 3d = 267d (not 5283 – were you thinking 2400d per shilling, instead 12?) x 160,000,000.
Actually, I took the initial amount in £s, divided by 10 (2s =1/10 of £1,) divided that figure by 8 (3d = 1/8 of 2/- ,) then added the three amounts together :-
1,600,000 + 160,000 + 20,000 = 1,780,000, but I have no idea if that’s how rateable value is calculated, either.

2 (i) A borough of rateable value £1,600,000 levies an annual rate of 22s 3d in the £.
What is the annual revenue produced? = £3.522,000

I calculated that they received 22s 3d for every pound they had,
22s =5280d + 3d 5283d x 1600000 =35200000 / 240 = £3,522.000
But have no idea, if that’s the correct way to do it.

(iii) A mans salary after being increased by 20% was £810 per annum. What was the amount of the increase?

You are right on that one Edgar, I did not read the word after so calculated the 20% on the £810.:o

Guess thats why the questions are written in that way, to catch the pupils who have not been listening to their lessons before hand.

Don’t know if these are the correct answers]

I got the same for most, though, having rented all my life, I don’t really understand rateable value, so arrived at £1,780,000
I made the last one £135 (810 – 135 = 675 + 20% = 810.)

Ain’t that the truth !!

I always had you down as a disreputable class influence!!;)

In those days, mental arithmetic was as much a part of our daily school life as whacking the bloke sitting at the desk in front of you over the head with a knotted scarf while ‘Nobby’ Naughton, the English teacher had his back to the class scribbling on the blackboard.

Don’t know if these are the correct answers.

1 (i)Simplify
(8 4/5 x 1/4) – (5 2/5 div 3)
(44/5 x ¼ = 44/20 = 11/5) (27/5 / 3 = 9/5) 11/5 – 9/5 = 2/5ths

(ii) find exact value of
0.7 x 80 = 56
3.5 x 0.04 = .14

express
(iii) 0.0383 tons in a lb to the nearest lb 85lbs 12ozs = 86lbs

2 (i) A borough of rateable value £1,600,000 levies an annual rate of 22s 3d in the £.
What is the annual revenue produced? = £3.522,000
(ii) Express in the ratio of £2 1s 3d to £7 6s 8d as a fraction in its lowest terms. = 9/32.
(iii) A mans salary after being increased by 20% was £810 per annum. What was the amount of the increase? = £162.

1 (i)Simplify
(8 4/5 x 1/4) – (5 2/5 div 3)
(ii) find exact value of
0.7 x 80
3.5 x 0.04

express
(iii) 0.0383 tons in a lb to the nearest lb

2 (i) A borough of rateable value £1,600,000 levies an annual rate of 22s 3d in the £.
What is the annual revenue produced?
(ii) Express in the ratio of £2 1s 3d to £7 6s 8d as a fraction in its lowest terms.
(iii) A mans salary after being increased by 20% was £810 per annum. What was the amount of the increase?

Dont forget the threepenny bit with the many sides

The basis for the next generation of one pound coin… They’re running a competition to design the other side, you know; apparently lots of fun to be had!

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