Bridges in Mathematics Grade 5, Unit 3: Place Value & Decimals
In this unit, your child carries place value past the decimal point. They see that each place is worth ten times the place to its right, multiply and divide by powers of 10, compare and round decimals to thousandths, and begin adding and subtracting decimals. Tenths and hundredths link back to the fraction unit, and the next unit multiplies and divides whole numbers and decimals.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 3?
- Seeing that each place is worth ten times the place to its right, so 0.9 is ten times 0.09. Learn more: What each digit is worth, including decimals
- Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000 by shifting digits, and writing 1,000 as 10³. Learn more: Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000
- Reading, writing, and comparing decimals to thousandths, like 3.207 in expanded form, using the < and > signs. Learn more about reading and writing decimals to thousandths: Reading and writing decimals to thousandths · Learn more about comparing decimals to thousandths
- Rounding decimals to the nearest whole, tenth, or hundredth, so 6.38 rounds to 6.4 to the nearest tenth. Learn more: Rounding decimals, like 4.68 to 4.7
- Adding and subtracting decimals to hundredths by lining up the decimal points and estimating first. Learn more about adding and subtracting decimals to hundredths: Adding and subtracting decimals to hundredths · Learn more about multiplying decimals to hundredths · Learn more about dividing decimals to hundredths
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
How many hundredths are in 1 tenth?
- 10
- 1/10
- 100
How you can help
- Read store prices together by place value: $3.49 is 3 ones, 4 tenths, and 9 hundredths. Ask your child which digit is worth the most and which the least.
- Compare two numbers from a food label or a sports result, like 0.5 and 0.48. Ask your child which is greater and how they know, without trusting the longer number.
- Round prices at the store to the nearest dollar or dime, then add the rounded amounts to estimate the total before checkout. Compare the estimate with the receipt.
Where kids can get stuck
- Thinking the longer decimal is larger, so 0.48 seems greater than 0.5 because 48 is greater than 5.
- Lining up the last digits instead of the decimal points, so 3.4 + 1.25 comes out as 1.59.
- Rounding 2.97 to the nearest tenth as 2.10 or 2.9, instead of carrying over to 3.0.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- place value
- The value a digit has because of where it sits in a number.
- digit
- Any of the symbols 0 through 9 used to write numbers.
- tenth
- One of 10 equal parts of a whole, written 0.1 or 1/10.
- hundredth
- One of 100 equal parts of a whole, written 0.01 or 1/100.
- thousandth
- One of 1,000 equal parts of a whole, written 0.001.
- power of 10
- A number made only of 10s multiplied together, like 10, 100 (10 × 10), or 1,000 (10 × 10 × 10).
- exponent
- A small raised number that tells how many times to multiply the base, like the 3 in 10³.
- round
- To change a number to a nearby, simpler one, like 4.68 to 4.7.
- expanded form
- A number written as the sum of each digit's value, like 3 + 0.2 + 0.05.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with decimal place value?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
Join the club
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Bridges in Mathematics Grade 5 Unit 3 cover?
Bridges in Mathematics Grade 5 Unit 3 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
- 5.NBT.A.1: Understand place value with decimals, like 0.09 is 1/10 of 0.9.
- 5.NBT.A.2: Multiply and divide by 10, 100, and 1,000, and see how the digits shift.
- 5.NBT.A.3: Read, write, and compare decimals to thousandths.
- 5.NBT.A.4: Round decimals, like 4.68 to the nearest tenth.
- 5.NBT.B.7: Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.