Reveal Math Grade 5, Unit 2: Place Value
In this unit, your child extends place value to decimals, seeing that each place is worth ten times the place to its right, so 0.09 is one tenth of 0.9. They multiply and divide by powers of 10, write numbers with exponents, and read, write, and compare decimals to the thousandths. Next, they add and subtract decimals.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 2?
- Comparing the value of the same digit in different places, like the 3 in 3.0, 0.3, and 0.03. Learn more: What each digit is worth, including decimals
- Multiplying and dividing by powers of 10 and explaining why the decimal point seems to move, using exponents like 10². Learn more: Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000
- Reading and writing decimals in digits, in words, and in expanded form, and comparing decimals to the thousandths. 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
- Use dollars, dimes, and pennies to show tenths and hundredths. Ask your child how many dimes make $1 and how many pennies make one dime.
- Read decimals aloud the math way together, like 4.26 as 'four and twenty-six hundredths.' Look for decimals on food labels, price tags, and sports pages.
- Play 'ten times bigger' on a walk or ride: say a number like 0.4, and your child answers 4. Then flip it to 'one tenth as big.'
Where kids can get stuck
- Treating the decimal point as a wall, reading 3.33 as 'three and thirty-three' instead of 3 ones, 3 tenths, and 3 hundredths.
- Moving the decimal point the wrong way, so 6.5 ÷ 10 becomes 65 instead of 0.65.
- Overcorrecting with decimals, deciding a shorter decimal is always larger and choosing 0.3 over 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
- The value a digit has because of its place in a number.
- digit
- One of the symbols 0 through 9 used to write numbers.
- value
- How much a digit is worth in its place, like the 4 in 0.4 is four tenths.
- tenth
- One of 10 equal parts of a whole, written 0.1.
- thousandth
- One of 1,000 equal parts of a whole, written 0.001.
- power of 10
- A number like 10, 100 (10 × 10), or 1,000 (10 × 10 × 10), made only of 10s multiplied together.
- exponent
- A small raised number that tells how many 10s to multiply together, as in 10³ = 10 × 10 × 10.
- expanded form
- A number written as the sum of each digit's value, like 3 + 0.4 + 0.05.
Ready to build your child’s confidence with 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 Reveal Math Grade 5 Unit 2 cover?
Reveal Math Grade 5 Unit 2 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.