Math Expressions Grade 5, Unit 6: Operations and Word Problems
In this unit, your child puts operations to work on word problems. They decide whether a story calls for adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing, then solve problems with fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals. Estimating first helps them catch answers that don't make sense. It brings together the fraction and decimal units before it and leads into algebra, patterns, and coordinate graphs.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 6?
- Solving word problems that add or subtract fractions, and choosing the operation by what the story asks. Learn more: Story problems that add and subtract fractions
- Solving word problems that multiply fractions and mixed numbers, like finding how much fabric 2 1/2 costumes need. Learn more: Multiplying fractions in real life, like recipes
- Solving multi-step word problems with decimals, like prices, distances, and weights, and estimating to check each answer. 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
Sione's pet snail crawls 3/4 foot before lunch and 1/2 foot after lunch. How far does it crawl in all?
- 1 1/4 feet
- 1 foot
- 4/6 foot
How you can help
- Turn a shopping trip into a story problem: 3 notebooks at $1.85 and a pen at $0.99. Ask your child for the total and the change from $10.
- Ask your child to retell a fraction problem in their own words before solving. If 3/4 of a pizza is left and you eat 1/3 of that, what do you need to find?
- Make up story problems together during a walk or ride, using distances like 1 1/2 miles or 0.75 miles. Take turns choosing the operation and explaining why.
Where kids can get stuck
- Choosing the operation by the numbers instead of the story, adding when a problem asks how much is left.
- Adding when a problem says 'half of,' so half of 3/4 of a pizza comes out larger than 3/4.
- Skipping a quick estimate, so they don't notice when half of 6 1/2 yards comes out larger than 6 yards.
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
- equation
- A number sentence with an equal sign, showing two amounts are the same.
- operation
- Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
- estimate
- A close guess found by rounding or using easy numbers.
- reasonable
- Making sense for the problem, close to what an estimate predicts.
- mixed number
- A whole number and a fraction together, like 2 1/2.
- of
- In fraction problems, 'of' usually means multiply, as in 1/2 of 8.
- product
- The answer to a multiplication problem.
- decimal
- A number with a decimal point, showing parts of a whole in tenths, hundredths, and smaller.
Want to help your child master math word problems?
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 Math Expressions Grade 5 Unit 6 cover?
Math Expressions Grade 5 Unit 6 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.