The 5th grade math course explores the patterns and relationships that lie at the heart of mathematics. Generally speaking, the 5th grade math curriculum is organized around interesting mathematical problems derived from real situations like: comparing numbers, converting Celsius to Fahrenheit, adding money, change from a purchase and many more.

5th grade math problems can be broken down in several topics. These topics differ at each school district but the main topics are:-

  • operations on positive numbers
  • fractions, decimals, percents
  • proportional reasoning
  • rounding and estimating
  • probability
  • statistics and data analysis (mean, mode, median, etc.)
  • number theory (gcf, lcm, divisibility, composites, primes)
  • place value
  • graphing and other visualization of data
  • geometry (area, perimeter, volume)
  • polygons
  • measurement of time, mass, length, volume, temperature
  • the metric system

Dividing by Repeated Subtractions

The result of division is to separate a group of objects into several equal smaller groups. The starting group is called the dividend. The number of groups that are separated out is called the divisor. The number of objects in each smaller group is called the quotient.

The results of division can be obtained by repeated subtraction. If we are separating 30 objects into 6 equal groups of five, we would take (or subtract) five objects at a time from the large group and place them in 6 equal groups. In mathematical terms this would be: 30-5-5-5-5-5-5

Fractions and Equivalent Decimals

Decimals are a type of fractional number. The decimal 0.6 represents the fraction 6/10. The decimal 0.76 represents the fraction 76/100. Decimal fractions always have a denominator based on a power of 10.

We know that 50/100 is equivalent to 1/2 since 1/2 times 50/50 is 50/100. Therefore, the decimal 0.5 is equivalent to 1/2 or 2/4, etc.

* Some common Equivalent Decimals and Fractions: 0.1 and 1/10
* 0.2 and 1/5
* 0.5 and 1/2
* 1.0 and 1/1 or 2/2 or 1

Changing Hours and Minutes to Minutes

How to find the number of minutes if hours and minutes are known:

* Multiply the number of hours by 60.
* Add the product and the number of additional minutes.

For example: Change 2 hour 20 minutes to minutes

* Multiply  2 by 60 = 120

* Add minutes: 120+20 = 140 minutes