Eureka Math Grade 5, Module 1: Place Value and Decimal Fractions
In this unit, your child sees decimals as fractions with denominators of 10, 100, and 1,000. They learn that each place is worth ten times the one to its right, multiply and divide by powers of 10, compare and round decimals, and begin adding and subtracting them. Metric conversions show the same ten-times pattern. Next come multi-digit whole number and decimal operations.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Module 1?
- Seeing decimals as tenths, hundredths, and thousandths, and that each place is ten times the place to its right. Learn more: What each digit is worth, including decimals
- Multiplying and dividing by powers of 10, like 0.37 × 100 = 37, and explaining how the digits shift. Learn more: Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000
- Writing decimals in expanded form, like 4.025 = 4 + 0.02 + 0.005, and comparing them with <, >, and =. 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 any place, like 13.682 to 13.7 or 13.68, using place value to decide. Learn more: Rounding decimals, like 4.68 to 4.7
- Adding and subtracting decimals to hundredths, like 2.75 + 1.4, by combining like units and lining up places. 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
- Converting metric units with powers of 10, like 3.5 meters to 350 centimeters or 1,200 grams to 1.2 kilograms. Learn more: Converting feet to yards and grams to kilograms
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
- Measure something together with a tape measure, like a table 1.25 meters long. Ask your child to say it in centimeters, 125, and in millimeters, 1,250.
- Read a price by its fraction name: $0.75 is 75 hundredths of a dollar, or 3/4. Ask your child to say a few store prices as fractions of a dollar.
- Compare two weights on food labels, like 0.45 kilograms and 0.405 kilograms. Ask your child which is heavier and to round each to the nearest tenth.
Where kids can get stuck
- Treating the decimal point as a wall, reading 3.33 as “three and thirty-three” instead of ones, tenths, and hundredths.
- Moving digits the wrong way when converting, so 350 centimeters becomes 35,000 meters instead of 3.5.
- Overcorrecting on comparisons, deciding shorter is always larger and claiming 0.3 is greater than 0.35.
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.
- tenth
- The first place to the right of the decimal point.
- hundredth
- The place two spots to the right of the decimal point.
- 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
- The little number up high that counts how many 10s are multiplied, as in 10².
- expanded form
- A number written as the sum of each digit's value, like 3 + 0.2 + 0.05.
- round
- To change a number to a nearby, simpler one, like 4.68 to 4.7.
- metric system
- Units like meters, liters, and grams that are based on tens.
Want to help your child master decimals and 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 Eureka Math Grade 5 Module 1 cover?
Eureka Math Grade 5 Module 1 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.
- 5.MD.A.1: Convert between units, like feet and yards, to solve problems.
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.