i-Ready Classroom Mathematics Grade 5, Unit 1: Whole Number and Decimal Place Value
In this unit, your child builds place value for whole numbers and decimals. They see that each place is worth ten times the one to its right, use powers of 10, read, compare, and round decimals to thousandths, and multiply multi-digit whole numbers. It lays the groundwork for the next unit, which uses these ideas to multiply and divide whole numbers and decimals.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 1?
- Comparing digits in different places, like seeing that the 7 in 0.7 is ten times the 7 in 0.07. Learn more: What each digit is worth, including decimals
- Writing powers of 10 with exponents, like 10³, and multiplying or dividing whole numbers and decimals by them. Learn more: Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000
- Reading, writing, and comparing decimals to thousandths in words, numerals, and expanded form, like 6.042. 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 a given place, like 6.042 to the nearest hundredth, 6.04, using a number line. Learn more: Rounding decimals, like 4.68 to 4.7
- Multiplying multi-digit whole numbers, like 1,203 × 15, with the written method and an estimate to check. Learn more: Multiplying big numbers, like 213 × 32
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
- Compare weights on two food packages, like 0.375 and 0.38 kilograms. Ask your child which is heavier, 0.38, and to explain using place value.
- Ask your child to round prices to the nearest dime and the nearest dollar, like $6.47 to $6.50 and $6. Talk about when each kind of rounding is useful at the store.
- Multiply something real together, like 15 rows of 112 seats in a theater. Ask your child to estimate first, then find the exact total, 1,680 seats.
Where kids can get stuck
- Believing the ten-times pattern stops at the decimal point, so 0.7 and 0.07 seem unrelated.
- Thinking 0.375 is greater than 0.38 because 375 is greater than 38.
- Forgetting the zero in the tens row when multiplying by 15, so 1,203 × 15 comes out far too small.
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.
- 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.
- thousandth
- The place three spots to the right of the decimal point.
- expanded form
- A number written as the sum of each digit's value, like 3 + 0.2 + 0.05.
- round
- To find the closest tenth, whole number, or other place value.
- product
- What you get when you multiply numbers together.
Want to help your child master place value to thousandths?
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 i-Ready Classroom Mathematics Grade 5 Unit 1 cover?
i-Ready Classroom Mathematics Grade 5 Unit 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.5: Fluently multiply larger numbers, like 213 × 32.
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.