Stumped...... And Embarrassingly So

An idle chat with my come-in-once-a-week cleaning auntie revealed she has two daughters - both failing their primary level English. And one of the daughters is taking her PSLE this year.

At the back of my mind [while chatting with her], I knew my cleaning auntie would not have the money to cover her daughters' private tuition fees, else she will not be cleaning my house and it's pittance she earned from me [I engaged her thru' an agency one huh]. Maybe it was out of pity, maybe I just felt like doing something good, I volunteered to tutor her two daughters on all English-based subjects FOC once a week, the day when she comes in to clean.

Now, I have very limited experiences tutoring; especially in Singapore's education context. The only one extensive time I gave tuition was while I was awaiting entry to Uni. For half a year, I gave English tuition to a bunch of Chinese educated students in Johor Bahru - you know the "is", "are", "singular", plural" kinda elementary phases.

I didn't even consider giving tuition for that extra cash supplement during varsity days basically I knew any student under my care would / might eventually end up worse than before! No joke. I was the kind of student who memorised, kept formulas in my bird brain and the instant exams finished, my brain cells expired too.

But what is so difficult about primary level subjects for me, a graduate at least, right? I had thought so very smugly to myself...

And the very first day, I was already so stumped by one Primary 6 maths problem sum. I was so freaking embarassed!!! I had to call Mr. Gecko for the solution on the spot and due to work distractions, he couldn't explain to me in details. I sent the girl home with the problem sum unsolved and sheepishly told her to ask her teacher in school tomorrow.

Tom and Jerry ran in a race. When Jerry had completed the run in 20 mins, Tom had run 5/8 of the distance. Tom's speed for the race was 75m/min less than Jerry's.

a) Find the distance of the race

b) Find Tom's speed in m / min

Tell me, do you remember solving SUCH a complex maths problem for your PSLE level?

SO FREAKING EMBARR-ASSED!!!!!!!!!!!