FM Simple one step problem(s)

A simple mathematical problem requires working through one step or process.  At Entry Levels it is expected that students will be able to address individual problems each of which draw upon knowledge and/or skills from one mathematical content area (number, measures or data). The context should be familiar to all students and easily described.

17/1/22 Minor update - page number signposting at top of pages 5&6 corrected.
 highly functional, carefully graduated set of questions based on current (Dec 2021) Royal Mail information  about parcel and letter sizes, and first and second class mail prices. Written just before Christmas but can be used all year round. Main topics are: extracting information from tables, converting metric measures, formulae expressed as words, and working with money and decimals.

Author's note

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Maths
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM Straightforward problem(s) with more than 1 step
FM Contextualised underpinning
FM E3.1 Count, read, write, order & compare numbers up to 1000
FM L1.5 Use simple formulae expressed in words for one or two-step operations
FM L1.11 Add, subtract, multiply & divide decimals up to 2 decimal places
FM E3.10 Calculate with money using decimal notation & express money correctly in writing in pounds and pence
FM E3.15 Compare metric measures of length including millimetres, centimetres, metres & kilometres
FM E3.16 Compare measures of weight including grams & kilograms
FM L1.20 Convert between units of length, weight, capacity, money and time, in the same system
FM E3.21 Extract information from lists, tables, diagrams, charts; create frequency tables
Context
Independent living

A good way for learners to understand the importance of using reverse calculations to check an answer to a previous question.  These check questions are appearing more and more in functional skills exams. I hope you find it as useful as I and my learners do.

Editor's note

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Maths
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM Straightforward problem(s) with more than 1 step
FM E3.2 Add & subtract 3-digit whole numbers
FM E3.3 Divide 3-digit numbers by 1- & 2-digit numbers, express remainders
FM E3.4 Multiply 2-digit numbers by 1- & 2-digit numbers
FM E3.10 Calculate with money using decimal notation & express money correctly in writing in pounds and pence
FM E3.21 Extract information from lists, tables, diagrams, charts; create frequency tables
FM L1.2 Recognise and use positive and negative numbers
FM L1.4 Use multiplication facts and make connections with division facts
FM L1.11 Add, subtract, multiply & divide decimals up to 2 decimal places

A good way for learners to understand the importance of using reverse calculations to check an answer to a previous question.  These check questions are appearing more and more in functional skills exams. I hope you find it as useful as  I and my learners do.

Editor's note

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Maths
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM Straightforward problem(s) with more than 1 step
FM E2.5 Add & subtract 2-digit numbers
FM E3.2 Add & subtract 3-digit whole numbers
FM E2.6 Times tables 0x0 to 12x12
FM E2.8 Divide 2-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers, express remainders
FM E3.3 Divide 3-digit numbers by 1- & 2-digit numbers, express remainders
FM E3.4 Multiply 2-digit numbers by 1- & 2-digit numbers
FM E2.12 Calculate money with pence up to £1 & in whole £s of multiple items, use correct symbols (£ or p)
FM E3.10 Calculate with money using decimal notation & express money correctly in writing in pounds and pence
FM E2.22 Extract information from lists, tables, diagrams, bar charts
FM E3.21 Extract information from lists, tables, diagrams, charts; create frequency tables

I designed this resource to help learners at Entry Level 3 Functional Maths understand the importance of setting out and working out multiplication calculations. I've also included some stretch questions.

Editor's note

Level
Entry Level 3
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM E2.6 Times tables 0x0 to 12x12
FM E3.4 Multiply 2-digit numbers by 1- & 2-digit numbers

I have designed this resource to help learners working at Entry 2 Functional Skills understand the importance of setting and working out calculations correctly.  I have also included some stretch questions.

Editor's note

Carefully graduated and differentiated workbook covering underpinning skills and simple word problems. Builds up from E2 to 'easy' E3 skills.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Maths
Functional Maths - underpinning
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM E2.6 Times tables 0x0 to 12x12
FM E3.4 Multiply 2-digit numbers by 1- & 2-digit numbers

A resource created for an adult learner to develop confidence in handling and working with money in everyday contexts.

Editor's note

A really functional resource based on a supermarket receipt. Covers many E2 and E3 content descriptors (each question is mapped). If you are a Skillsworkshop resource contributor an answer sheet will be available shortly.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Maths
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM E2.1 Count up to 100 items
FM E2.2 Read, write, order & compare numbers up to 200
FM E2.5 Add & subtract 2-digit numbers
FM E2.22 Extract information from lists, tables, diagrams, bar charts
FM E3.4 Multiply 2-digit numbers by 1- & 2-digit numbers
FM E3.8 Read, write & use decimals up to two decimal places
FM E3.10 Calculate with money using decimal notation & express money correctly in writing in pounds and pence
FM E3.11 Round amounts of money to the nearest £1 or 10p
Context
Catering Food Nutrition
Retail Hospitality Customer service

I've just designed this ready for my new starts in September.  It is surprising how many learners come that get basic things wrong. 

As we know FS is all about reading the questions and showing workings out.  I always do 5 weeks of no calculators as for some they just do not get the borrowing / carrying over and this is of course important on the non calculator papers now.

There is also an E2-E3 version of this resource.

Editor's note

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM E3.2 Add & subtract 3-digit whole numbers
FM E3.10 Calculate with money using decimal notation & express money correctly in writing in pounds and pence
FM L1.2 Recognise and use positive and negative numbers
FM L1.11 Add, subtract, multiply & divide decimals up to 2 decimal places

8/8/2021 Error fixed on page 3, no. 13.

I've just designed these ready for my new starts in September.  It is surprising how many learners come that get the simplest things wrong. 

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Maths
FM Context free underpinning
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM E1.3 Add numbers which total up to 20, & subtract numbers from numbers up to 20
FM E2.5 Add & subtract 2-digit numbers
FM E3.2 Add & subtract 3-digit whole numbers
FM E2.12 Calculate money with pence up to £1 & in whole £s of multiple items, use correct symbols (£ or p)
FM E3.10 Calculate with money using decimal notation & express money correctly in writing in pounds and pence

Editor's note Jan 24 2022 19:50 - correction made to the final 2-way table question.

Pat and Mitch decide to build a mini wildlife pond from an old sink. This involves digging, gathering and arranging suitable items, a trip to the aquatic centre to buy water plants, and then sitting back and observing the fruit of their labours :)

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Maths
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM E1.1 Read, write, order, compare numbers to 20
FM E2.1 Count up to 100 items
FM E1.8 Describe & make comparisons between measures of items inc. size, length, width, height, weight, capacity
FM E2.14 Use metric measures of length including millimetres, centimetres, metres & kilometres
FM E3.16 Compare measures of weight including grams & kilograms
FM E2.16 Use measures of capacity including millilitres & litres
FM E1.9 Identify & recognise common 2-D & 3-D shapes inc. circle, cube, rectangle (inc. square) & triangle
FM E2.19 Recognise & name 2-D & 3-D shapes including pentagons, hexagons, cylinders, cuboids, pyramids, spheres
FM E1.10 Use everyday positional vocabulary to describe position & direction including left, right, in front, behind, under & above
FM E2.21 Use appropriate positional vocabulary to describe position & direction including between, inside, outside, middle, below, on top, forwards & backwards
FM E1.7 Know the number of days in a week, months, & seasons in a year. Name & sequence them.
FM E1.12 Sort & classify objects using a single criterion
FM E2.24 Sort and classify objects using two criteria
FM E1.13 Read & draw simple charts & diagrams inc. a tally chart, block diagram/graph
FM E2.22 Extract information from lists, tables, diagrams, bar charts
FM E2.23 Make numerical comparisons from bar charts
FM E2.25 Take information from one format and represent the information in another format including use of bar charts
Context
Science, Nature & Weather
Gardening & Horticulture

A hastily written resource (I didn’t want to have to wait another 4 years!) on Feb 29th 2020 (but can be used throughout the leap year). Covers Functional Skills (Measures) content descriptors relating to using dates and units of time. Number topics such as estimation and checking, multiplication, division, odd and even numbers, and sequences are also included. There is an emphasis is on using non-calculator written methods to convert between units of time.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Maths
FM Contextualised underpinning
FM Simple one step problem(s)
FM Straightforward problem(s) with more than 1 step
FM L1.4 Use multiplication facts and make connections with division facts
FM L2.2 Carry out calculations with numbers up to 1 million inc. strategies to check answers e.g. estimation & approximation
FM E2.13 Read & record time in common date formats, & read time displayed on analogue clocks in hours, half hours & quarter hours, & understand hours from a 24-hour digital clock
FM L1.20 Convert between units of length, weight, capacity, money and time, in the same system
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond