What is Showing?

S0-SA3-0167

Grade Level:

Pre-School – Class 2

All domains without exception

Definition

What is it?

In maths, 'Showing' means clearly explaining how you got your answer. It's about writing down all the steps you took to solve a problem, not just giving the final answer. It helps others understand your thinking and helps you find mistakes.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you got 95 marks in your science test. If your teacher asks, 'How did you score so well?', you wouldn't just say 'I studied.' You would 'show' how by saying, 'I read the textbook, made notes, solved all practice questions, and revised every chapter twice.' This explains your process.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

PROBLEM: If an auto-rickshaw charges ₹10 for the first kilometer and ₹5 for every kilometer after that, how much will a 4 km ride cost? Show your working.

1. Cost for the first kilometer = ₹10
---2. Remaining distance = Total distance - First kilometer = 4 km - 1 km = 3 km
---3. Cost for the remaining 3 km = 3 km * ₹5/km = ₹15
---4. Total cost = Cost for first km + Cost for remaining km = ₹10 + ₹15 = ₹25
---ANSWER: The 4 km auto ride will cost ₹25.

Why It Matters

Showing your work is crucial in all subjects, from maths to science to coding. It helps you develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Engineers, scientists, and even app developers need to show their steps when designing new products or solving complex problems.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Only writing the final answer, even for complex problems. | CORRECTION: Always write down each step of your calculation or reasoning clearly.

MISTAKE: Skipping steps because you think they are 'obvious'. | CORRECTION: Include all intermediate steps, even small ones, to ensure clarity and avoid errors.

MISTAKE: Using messy handwriting or unclear diagrams. | CORRECTION: Present your work neatly and logically, using clear handwriting and proper spacing so it's easy to follow.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: A cricket team scored 150 runs in 20 overs. If they score 10 runs per over for the next 5 overs, what will be their total score? Show your working. | ANSWER: 1. Runs in next 5 overs = 10 runs/over * 5 overs = 50 runs. 2. Total score = 150 runs + 50 runs = 200 runs.

QUESTION: You bought a packet of biscuits for ₹20 and a juice box for ₹15. If you paid with a ₹50 note, how much change should you get back? Show your working. | ANSWER: 1. Total cost = ₹20 + ₹15 = ₹35. 2. Change received = ₹50 - ₹35 = ₹15.

QUESTION: A train travels 60 km in the first hour, then speeds up and travels 80 km in the second hour. If the total journey is 200 km, how much distance is left to cover after 2 hours? Show your working clearly. | ANSWER: 1. Distance covered in first hour = 60 km. 2. Distance covered in second hour = 80 km. 3. Total distance covered = 60 km + 80 km = 140 km. 4. Distance left = Total journey - Total distance covered = 200 km - 140 km = 60 km.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Why is 'showing your work' important in mathematics?

It makes your teacher happy.

It helps you understand your own mistakes and allows others to follow your logic.

It uses up more paper.

It is only required for very hard problems.

The Correct Answer Is:

Showing your work helps you trace your steps, identify where you might have gone wrong, and allows anyone else to understand how you arrived at your answer. Options A, C, and D are not the primary reasons.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When a chef follows a recipe, they are 'showing' how to make a dish step-by-step. Similarly, when a software engineer writes code, they add comments to 'show' what each part of the code does. This helps other engineers understand and improve the software, just like how UPI transactions 'show' you the exact amount and recipient before you confirm.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

EXPLANATION: A detailed account of how something works or why it's done|PROCESS: A series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end|LOGIC: A system or set of principles underlying the arrangement of elements in a computer or electronic device or in a philosophical or scientific system|REASONING: The action of thinking about something in a logical, sensible way.

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand 'showing,' you can move on to 'explaining.' Explaining takes 'showing' one step further by adding more detail and context to your steps. Keep practicing to make your explanations even clearer!