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Maths Quiz - Solving Problems (Year 6) (Questions)

Solving problems in maths helps you think logically, plan your approach, and check your results — just like a computer programmer working out how to fix a tricky bug!

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Fascinating Fact:

Computer programmers solve problems every day when writing code to make software and apps work correctly.

In KS2 Maths, pupils learn to solve problems by applying their mathematical knowledge to new situations. They combine skills such as reasoning, estimating, and working systematically to find and check accurate answers. This helps prepare them for real-world problem solving — from coding to engineering!

Key Terms

Reasoning: Using logic to explain how and why an answer is correct.
Estimate: Making an educated guess to check if an answer is reasonable.
Systematic: Working in a clear, ordered way to make sure no steps are missed.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What does problem solving mean in KS2 maths?

It means applying your maths knowledge to new or real-life challenges, using reasoning and logic to find and check the best solution.

How can I get better at solving maths problems?

Practise regularly, read each question carefully, look for patterns, draw diagrams, and always double-check your answers for sense and accuracy.

Why is problem solving important in maths?

It helps you use maths in everyday life — from budgeting and measuring to programming and planning — and builds confidence in logical thinking.

Try These Related Quizzes

1.

There were three jugs; one held 0.75 litres, another held 400ml and the other held 350ml. How much did the jugs hold altogether?

[ ]	1 litre
[ ]	1.25 litres
[ ]	1.5 litres
[ ]	1.75 litres

2.

A race lasting 3 hours and 40 minutes ended at 16:50. What time did the race start?

[ ]	13:10
[ ]	13:20
[ ]	14:10
[ ]	14:20

3.

At the cinema there are 42 seats in each row and 32 rows. How many seats altogether?

[ ]	1,244
[ ]	1,344
[ ]	1,354
[ ]	1,534

4.

It takes 30cm of ribbon to make a bow. How many bows can be made from a 2m long ribbon?

[ ]	5
[ ]	6
[ ]	7
[ ]	8

5.

Dad is 1.83m tall. The ceiling is 28cm higher than Dad. How high is the ceiling?

[ ]	2m
[ ]	2.01m
[ ]	2.10m
[ ]	2.11m

6.

A car uses 1.2 litres of fuel for every 5 miles. The car has 20 litres of fuel in the tank. How much fuel will be left after the car has travelled 60 miles?

[ ]	4.6 litres
[ ]	5.6 litres
[ ]	6.6 litres
[ ]	14.6 litres

7.

Lamb takes 50 minutes per kg to cook plus 50 minutes. How long does it take for a 2.5kg piece of lamb to cook?

[ ]	1 hour 15 minutes
[ ]	1 hour and 55 minutes
[ ]	165 minutes
[ ]	2 hours and 55 minutes

8.

I think of a number and multiply it by 15. I subtract 180. The answer is 300. What was my number?

[ ]	20
[ ]	22
[ ]	28
[ ]	32

9.

Martin travelled 31.2km by car, 5.8km by bus and 0.23km on foot. How far did he travel altogether?

[ ]	35.32km
[ ]	37.23km
[ ]	37.32km
[ ]	38.32km

10.

How many kilograms of sugar must be added to 2.34kg to make 6kg?

[ ]	2.66
[ ]	2.76
[ ]	3.66
[ ]	3.76

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Problem solving

Maths Quiz - Solving Problems (Year 6) (Answers)

1.

There were three jugs; one held 0.75 litres, another held 400ml and the other held 350ml. How much did the jugs hold altogether?

[ ]	1 litre
[ ]	1.25 litres
[x]	1.5 litres
[ ]	1.75 litres

To work out the answer you have to add the three amounts together. 0.75 litres is the same as 750ml so 750 + 400 + 350 = 1,500ml which is the same as 1.5 litres

2.

A race lasting 3 hours and 40 minutes ended at 16:50. What time did the race start?

[x]	13:10
[ ]	13:20
[ ]	14:10
[ ]	14:20

To work this out first take 40 minutes from 50 leaving 10. Then take 3 hours from 16 leaving 13

3.

At the cinema there are 42 seats in each row and 32 rows. How many seats altogether?

[ ]	1,244
[x]	1,344
[ ]	1,354
[ ]	1,534

If there are 42 seats in every row then we multiply 42 by 32 to work out the answer

4.

It takes 30cm of ribbon to make a bow. How many bows can be made from a 2m long ribbon?

[ ]	5
[x]	6
[ ]	7
[ ]	8

200 ÷ 30 = 6 remainder 20cm. As 20cm is not long enough to make a bow, we can only make 6 bows

5.

Dad is 1.83m tall. The ceiling is 28cm higher than Dad. How high is the ceiling?

[ ]	2m
[ ]	2.01m
[ ]	2.10m
[x]	2.11m

There are 100cm in a metre so Dad is 183cm tall. 183 + 28 = 211 so the ceiling is 211cm tall. 211cm is the same as 2.11 metres

6.

A car uses 1.2 litres of fuel for every 5 miles. The car has 20 litres of fuel in the tank. How much fuel will be left after the car has travelled 60 miles?

[ ]	4.6 litres
[x]	5.6 litres
[ ]	6.6 litres
[ ]	14.6 litres

To work this one out first divide 60 by 5 which is 12. Then Multiply 12 by 1.2 which is 14.4 so the car will use up 14.4 litres of fuel if it travels 60 miles. 14.4 litres subtracted from 20 litres leaves 5.6 litres still in the tank

7.

Lamb takes 50 minutes per kg to cook plus 50 minutes. How long does it take for a 2.5kg piece of lamb to cook?

[ ]	1 hour 15 minutes
[ ]	1 hour and 55 minutes
[ ]	165 minutes
[x]	2 hours and 55 minutes

To calculate this 50 minutes x 2.5 = 125 minutes. Add another 50 minutes gives 175 minutes or 2 hours and 55 minutes

8.

I think of a number and multiply it by 15. I subtract 180. The answer is 300. What was my number?

[ ]	20
[ ]	22
[ ]	28
[x]	32

This type of question needs to go backwards. The last step was to subtract 180 so add this back 300 + 180 = 480. To get here we had to multiply by 15 so we divide by 15 to get back to our original number

9.

Martin travelled 31.2km by car, 5.8km by bus and 0.23km on foot. How far did he travel altogether?

[ ]	35.32km
[x]	37.23km
[ ]	37.32km
[ ]	38.32km

Adding the numbers after the decimal points will help here. 0.2 + 0.8 = 1.0 so we know that the answer will end in .23

10.

How many kilograms of sugar must be added to 2.34kg to make 6kg?

[ ]	2.66
[ ]	2.76
[x]	3.66
[ ]	3.76

100 - 34 = 66 so we know that the answer will end in .66. If we add 0.66 to 2.34 we get 3 so we still need another 3kg