enVision Mathematics Grade 5, Topic 1: Understand Place Value
In this unit, your child begins the year with place value. They learn that each place is worth ten times the place to its right and one tenth of the place to its left, write powers of 10 like 10³, and read, write, and compare decimals to thousandths. These ideas get used right away in the next unit, adding and subtracting decimals.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Topic 1?
- Explaining that each place is worth ten times the place to its right and one tenth of the place to its left. Learn more: What each digit is worth, including decimals
- Using powers of 10, like 10² and 10³, to multiply and divide whole numbers and decimals by 10, 100, and 1,000. Learn more: Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000
- Reading and writing decimals like 2.305 in words and expanded form, and comparing them to the thousandths place. Learn more about reading and writing decimals to thousandths: Reading and writing decimals to thousandths · Learn more about comparing decimals to thousandths
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
- Write a number like 444.44 on a napkin and point to two of the 4s. Ask your child how many times greater one is than the other, and why.
- Read a price aloud the long way together, like $12.65 as 1 ten, 2 ones, 6 tenths, and 5 hundredths. Then let your child pick the next price to read.
- Compare running or swimming times from a race, like 10.52 and 10.5 seconds. Ask your child which time is faster and to explain it using place value.
Where kids can get stuck
- Saying the 4 in 0.04 is worth more than the 4 in 0.4, mixing up which way the values grow.
- Reading 4.26 as “four point twenty-six,” missing that the digits after the point mean 26 hundredths.
- Thinking 0.125 is greater than 0.5 because 125 is greater than 5.
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
- How much a digit is worth based on its place, like ones, tens, or tenths.
- digit
- A single number symbol, like the 7 in 0.7.
- value
- How much a digit is worth, such as 4 tenths for the 4 in 0.4.
- tenth
- The first place to the right of the decimal point.
- hundredth
- The place two spots to the right of the decimal point.
- thousandth
- The place three spots to the right of the decimal point.
- power of 10
- 10, 100, 1,000, and so on: each one is ten times the one before.
- exponent
- The little number up high that counts how many 10s are multiplied, as in 10².
- expanded form
- Breaking a number apart by place value, like 400 + 20 + 1.
Want to help your child master place value with decimals?
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.
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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 enVision Mathematics Grade 5 Topic 1 cover?
enVision Mathematics Grade 5 Topic 1 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
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.