Illustrative Mathematics Grade 5, Unit 8: Putting It All Together
In this unit, your child closes the year by revisiting its biggest ideas: expressions with parentheses, place value, adding fractions with unlike denominators, converting measurements, and the coordinate grid. They apply them in longer, multi-step problems. Coming after the unit on shapes on the coordinate grid, it helps children connect what they know and head into sixth grade confident.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 8?
- Using parentheses and brackets to write and evaluate longer expressions in multi-step problems. Learn more: Solving number sentences with parentheses
- Applying place value, with each place ten times the place to its right, to reason about large numbers and decimals. Learn more: What each digit is worth, including decimals
- Adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators in longer problems, like 5/6 + 3/4 = 1 7/12. Learn more: Adding and subtracting fractions like 2/3 + 1/4
- Converting measurements, like 1.75 kilograms to 1,750 grams, as one step in a multi-step problem. Learn more: Converting feet to yards and grams to kilograms
- Plotting points on the coordinate grid to show the answers to problems and to check reasoning. Learn more: Finding points on a grid, like (6, 3)
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
Work out (25 - 5) × 3.
- 10
- 70
- 60
How you can help
- Plan a picnic with your child: 3 friends each get 1/4 pound of grapes and 1/3 pound of cheese. Ask them to write an expression, then find the total, 1 3/4 pounds.
- Convert a package amount together, like 1.75 kilograms of flour into grams, 1,750. Then ask how many 250-gram bags that would fill, 7.
- Map a few landmarks on graph paper after a walk, with home at (0, 0). Ask your child for each point's coordinates and how far apart two places are across or up.
Where kids can get stuck
- Mixing up which step comes first in a long problem, so the numbers inside parentheses get done last.
- Adding numerators and denominators, so 5/6 + 3/4 becomes 8/10 instead of 1 7/12.
- Dividing instead of multiplying, so 1.75 kilograms becomes 0.00175 grams instead of 1,750.
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
- expression
- A math phrase with numbers and signs, but no equal sign.
- place value
- The value a digit has because of where it sits in a number.
- common denominator
- A denominator two fractions can both be renamed with, like 12 for 1/3 and 1/4.
- mixed number
- A number written as a whole number plus a fraction, like 3 3/4.
- convert
- To rewrite an amount using another unit of the same kind.
- ordered pair
- A pair like (6, 2) that says how far across, then how far up.
- coordinate grid
- A grid with numbered axes used to find and plot points.
Want to help your child master fifth-grade math?
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 Illustrative Mathematics Grade 5 Unit 8 cover?
Illustrative Mathematics Grade 5 Unit 8 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
- 5.OA.A.1: Solve problems with parentheses and brackets, working inside first.
- 5.NBT.A.1: Understand place value with decimals, like 0.09 is 1/10 of 0.9.
- 5.NF.A.1: Add and subtract fractions with different denominators, like 2/3 + 1/4.
- 5.MD.A.1: Convert between units, like feet and yards, to solve problems.
- 5.G.A.1: Find and plot points on a coordinate grid, like (6, 3).
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.