Zearn Math Grade 5, Mission 1: Place Value and Decimal Fractions
In this unit, your child explores place value from millions down to thousandths, seeing that each place is worth ten times the place to its right. They multiply and divide by powers of 10; read, compare, and round decimals; and use what they know about 10, 100, and 1,000 to convert metric units. Next, they multiply and divide multi-digit whole numbers and decimals.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Mission 1?
- Using place value charts to show 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 and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000, and using exponents to write powers of 10, like 10³ = 1,000. Learn more: Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000
- Reading, writing, and comparing decimals to the thousandths in digits, in words, and in expanded form. 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 any place, like 4.68 to the nearest tenth, by finding which nearby number it is closer to. Learn more: Rounding decimals, like 4.68 to 4.7
- Converting metric measurements, like meters to centimeters or grams to kilograms, by multiplying or dividing by powers of 10. Learn more: Converting feet to yards and grams to kilograms
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
- Read metric labels together, like a 1.5 liter bottle or a 750 gram box. Ask how many milliliters or kilograms that is, and which way the digits shift.
- Measure your child's height in centimeters and then in meters. Talk about why 142 centimeters and 1.42 meters are the same length.
- Round distances on a walk or ride, like 2.68 miles, to the nearest tenth and to the nearest whole mile. Ask which nearby number it sits closer to.
Where kids can get stuck
- Comparing decimals by length, so 0.125 seems larger than 0.25 because it has more digits.
- Using the 'add a zero' rule on decimals, so 3.6 × 10 gets written as 3.60 instead of 36.
- Dividing when converting to a smaller unit, so 3 kilograms becomes 0.003 grams instead of 3,000 grams.
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.
- 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.
- round
- To change a number to a nearby, easier number, like 4.68 to 4.7.
- convert
- To change a measurement to a different unit, like feet to inches.
- metric system
- Measurement units based on 10s, like meters, liters, and grams.
Want to help your child master place value and 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.
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 Zearn Math Grade 5 Mission 1 cover?
Zearn Math Grade 5 Mission 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.MD.A.1: Convert between units, like feet and yards, to solve problems.
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.