Saxon Math Grade 5, Section 1: Place Value Whole Number & Decimal Operations
In this unit, your child starts with place value and the four operations. They see that each place is worth ten times the one to its right, multiply multi-digit numbers and divide by two-digit numbers on paper, and add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals. Steady practice helps the steps become reliable, and the next unit builds on them by adding and subtracting fractions.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Section 1?
- Using place value to see that a digit moved one place to the left is worth ten times as much. Learn more: What each digit is worth, including decimals
- Multiplying multi-digit whole numbers on paper, like 307 × 46, keeping the partial products lined up. Learn more: Multiplying big numbers, like 213 × 32
- Dividing four-digit numbers by two-digit divisors, like 4,536 ÷ 21 = 216, and checking by multiplying. Learn more: Dividing by two-digit numbers, like 480 ÷ 16
- Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals to hundredths, like 6.25 + 3.8 or 9.6 ÷ 3. 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
How many hundredths are in 1 tenth?
- 10
- 1/10
- 100
How you can help
- Ask how many minutes are in a week, 7 × 24 × 60. Let your child multiply step by step to find 10,080.
- Split a $9.60 pizza cost among 3 family members. Ask your child to estimate first, then divide to find $3.20 each.
- Add two prices from a receipt, like $6.25 and $3.80. Ask your child to line up the decimal points, find $10.05, and check by rounding.
Where kids can get stuck
- Skipping the zero in 307, multiplying as if it were 37, so the product comes out far too small.
- Forgetting a zero in the quotient, so 4,284 ÷ 21 becomes 24 instead of 204.
- Lining up the last digits instead of the decimal points, so 6.25 + 3.8 becomes 6.63.
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.
- product
- The answer to a multiplication problem, like 24 in 6 × 4 = 24.
- partial product
- One row of a stacked multiplication, before the rows are added.
- dividend
- The number being divided, like 32 in 32 ÷ 4.
- divisor
- The number that tells how many groups, or how big each group is, in division.
- quotient
- The answer to a division problem, like 8 in 32 ÷ 4 = 8.
- decimal point
- The dot in a number like 4.25 that comes right after the ones place.
- hundredth
- The place two spots to the right of the decimal point.
Want to help your child master the four operations?
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 Saxon Math Grade 5 Section 1 cover?
Saxon Math Grade 5 Section 1 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.