Portsmouth Grammar School.: Arithmetic Card.

Printed card [11.3 x 7.5 cm].

The card was designed to test pupils attending the school in their competency in arithmetic. The examination was probably half yearly when the guardians of the school would have been provided with these printed cards to test the pupils progress. The questions are on: reduction, rule of three direct, the rule of three, inverse and double rule of three, and so would possibly be directed at the more advance pupils.

The card lists progressively more difficult questions, beginning with 'Question 1 - What is meant by Reduction?' to more the complex' Ques. 4. - When is Reduction performed by Division?' the answer expected was 'All small denominations are brought into greater by dividing with so many of the less as make one of the greater.' This has some some further instructions for the examiner too '[Here let the example be stated, when it has been stated let the Pupil say the table.] In fact even the examiner seems to be given some help in understanding what was expected as two of the answers have long notes on what they were meant to do: '[Here state the example, and ask which are the terms of suppositions, which those of demand; how they are each to be placed; if the proportion in each statement be directed or inverse, which is the divisor in the first statement, and which the divisor in the second; then to apply the rules of Reduction, and lastly, how he is to proceed.]

The school was founded in 1732 with two Governors nominated by Christ Church and another by the Second Sea Lord. In 1855 a new headmaster, the Rev. Alexander Rushwurm, was appointed, who incidentally was educated at the school and took his B.A. at Christ Church. Probably the card dates from the early years of his headmastership, helping both to show that he was a capable person to lead the school and indicate to the governors of the school the progressive nature of the school.