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Model Drawing Method: A Parent's Guide to Singapore Maths

What Is the Model Drawing Method?

If your child's maths homework looks different from what you learned, you are not alone. Singapore's model drawing method (also called bar modelling) uses rectangular bars to represent quantities visually.

Why Singapore Uses It

The model method bridges concrete understanding (physical objects) and abstract algebra (equations). Instead of jumping to "let x = ...", students draw bars to see the relationship between quantities.

Example: A Simple Problem

Ali has 3 times as many marbles as Ben. They have 48 marbles altogether. How many does Ali have?

Using algebra: 3x + x = 48, so x = 12, Ali = 36 Using model drawing:

Ben:  [████]
Ali:  [████][████][████]
Total: 48 marbles

4 units = 48, so 1 unit = 12. Ali has 3 × 12 = 36 marbles.

When It Gets Powerful

Model drawing truly shines in P5-P6 ratio and fraction problems:

Sarah spent 2/5 of her money on books and 1/3 of the remainder on food. She had $40 left. How much did she start with?

Drawing this with bars makes the fractions visible — children can literally see "2/5" as 2 out of 5 equal parts.

How to Help at Home

1. Don't teach your method — if you solve it algebraically but your child draws models, you will confuse them
2. Ask "can you draw it?" — this is the magic question that unlocks problem solving
3. Practice with simple problems first — before attempting PSLE questions, master 2-unit and 3-unit models
4. Check the units — the most common mistake is incorrect unit identification

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