Mathematics

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The second chapter of the fifth grade math book focuses on adding and subtracting whole numbers and decimals. The standards for chapter 2 are:

 Chapter 2

Number Sense: Estimate, round and manipulate very large and very small numbers
Number Sense: Add and subtract, with decimals, and verify the reasonableness of the results
Number Sense: Demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to use standard algorithms for the addition and subtraction of multi-digit numbers
Algebra and functions: Write and solve one-step linear equations in one variable
Algebra and functions: Interpret and evaluate mathematical expressions that now use parentheses
Algebra and functions: Use a letter to represent an unknown number; write and evaluate simple algebraic expressions in one variable by substitution
Mathematical reasoning: Students make decisions about how to approach problems
Mathematical reasoning: Indicate the relative advantages of exact and approximate solutions to problems

 

This chapter connects with previous and future learning in this way:

 

Looking Back Right Now
 
Adding and Subtracting Whole Numbers and Decimals

Looking Ahead

 

In grade 4, students learned how to add and subtract four-digit numbers. They also learned about expressions and equations with addition and subtraction.

Solve:

+ 6 = 7

 In this chapter, students will learn how to add and subtract five-digit whole numbers and decimals. They will also learn to evaluate expressions and to solve equations.

Solve:

X - 8 = 15

Next year, students will learn how to write and evaluate expressions and write and solve equations with addition and subtraction of decimals.

Solve:

X - 2.4 = 4.56

 

The chapter has three sections of problem solving where the students are introduced to new strategies or are asked to apply previously learned concepts in new problems. The strategies for the second chapter are:

 

Deciding if an estimate is enough

pages 48-49

Writing an equation

pages 58-59

 Using money

pages 66-67


 

Many students have a tough time with problem solving. Often, a student will want to jump to the answer without taking the time to think through and verbalize the steps necessary in solving the problem. Many times, that is fine, but the problem lies in that when the student is challenged with more difficult problems, the thought processes have been shortcircuited and the problem becomes harder. Therefore, I emphasize the explaining of all problems, no matter how simple they seem. By learning with the easier, simpler problems, the correct thinking can developed and then generalized to the more difficult problems.

 

The textbook emphasizes four steps in problem solving. They are:

Understand~

What is the problem asking?

What facts are given?

What must be found?

How would you restate the problem in your own words?

Plan~

Make a plan for solving the problem. Think of the different strategies that are available to the mathematician. How can the problem be solved? What other strategies might also work?

Draw a picture

Make a model

Work backward

Guess and check

Act out the problem

Write a number sentence

Solve~

How will the problem be solved? What materials should be used: paper and pencil; mental math; calculator; or manipulatives? Use the best materials that are available.

Look Back~

Is the answer correct? Does it make sense and is it a logical solution? Think of a way to check the problem and take the time to do so. Does the selected solution answer the question?

By following these steps in problem solving on a consistent basis, students should become stronger in the application of those steps!

Back to the top!

 

 

 

Let's Practice Some

Online Problem Solving!

 

Each of the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 is written on a separate card. Just enough cards are drawn to place a digit in each space available. Many different choices of numbers are possible. What digits would you choose and where would you place them?
 
Day 1: The sum is less than 500: _ _ _ + _ _ <500
 
Day 2: The sum is greater than 500: _ _ _ + _ _ _ > 500
 
Day 3: The sum is the greatest possible: _ _ + _ _ + _ _
 
Day 4: The difference is less than 100: _ _ _ - _ _ < 100
 
Day 5: The sum, rounded to the nearest hundred, is 600: _ _ _ + _ _ _
 
Day 6: The sum is greater than 10: _ ._ _ + _ . _ _
 
Day 7: The difference is less than 10: _ _ ._ _ - _ ._ _
 
Day 8: The difference is greater than 50: _ _ ._ - _ ._
 
Day 9: The sum is closest to 100: _ _._ + _._
 
Day 10: The sum is 8 when rounded to the nearest whole number: _ . _ _ _ + 0 + _ _ _
Back to the top!
 

How About Some More Practice?

Palindromes

 A palindrome is a number that is read the same backward and forward such as 3,883. Find the following sums only if the addends are both palindromes.

 373 + 595 =  1,331 + 4,224 =  8,228 + 646 =
 1,991 + 1,234 =  999 + 3,333 =  4,545 + 2,332 =

There are rules for finding palindromes:

1. Write a three digit number:

2. Reverse the digits:

3. Add the two numbers:

4. If the sum is not a palindrome, repeat steps 2 and 3 until it is:

 

695

596

695 + 596 = 1,291

1,291 + 1,921 = 3,212

3,212 + 2,123 = 5,335 *

Try creating palindromes for decimals too!

 

 

To develop your number sense, choose the best estimate for each of these differences:

492 - 226 =

A) 200

B) 300

C) 400

1,785 - 321 =

A) 400

B) 1,400

C) 1,500

8,430 - 3,995 =

A) 4,000

B) 5,000

C) 6,000

2,382 -927 =

A) 1,300

B) 1,400

C) 1,500

 

Estimate, using front-end estimation with adjustment. Then use a calculator to find the actual answer and check it with your estimate.

 

$ 7.83

+ 2.25

  $ 4.35

+ 3.12

  $ 12.15

+ 14.88

  $ 3.47

+ 2.25

  $ 7.76

+ 9.68

  $ 17.25

+ 23.49

 

Place the numbers 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, and 0.9 in the following grid so that the sum is 1.5 along each row, column and diagonal.

     
     
     

Back to the top!

 

 

Estimation

Use your estimation skills to estimate the answers to the following problems. Then, use a calculator and see how accurate you are. Is there a difference between front-end and rounding?

 3.829 + 1.246 =  6.745 + 0.982 =
 0.487 + 0.512 =  7.13 + 5.931 =

 

For a bit more challenge:

 

 

Write the numbers 2-10 so that the sum of each row and diagonal is 18.

     
     
     

 

Miguel has one dollar in change. He has twice as many nickels as dimes. He has 14 more pennies than quarters. What coins does he have?

 

Find the missing addends in this addition table:

 +      16  
     14    
   11    17  
     27    41
   87      100

 

 

In a word game, a = 2 points, b= 4 points, c = 6 points, and so on. How many points is each of the following words worth?

quiz

math

addend

 

 

 

 

 

to math sites!

 

Adding and Subtracting Links

Mental Math Addition Mental Math Subtraction Estimating Sums
 Relationship between + and - Relationship between - and + Estimating Differences
Adding Money  Subtracting Money  Estimating with decimals
Properties of Addition Math is our friend!  Four Basic Math Operations 

 

 

Decimal Links for
Adding and Subtracting

 How do you add decimals? How do you subtract decimals? 
Adding Decimals Subtracting Decimals 
Adding Decimals-Money  Subtracting Decimals-Money 
Adding & Subtracting Decimals Tutorial   Subtraction Basketball-Decimals
 Adding and Subtracting Workout-
tutorial and practice
 Interactive Quiz

 

 

Algebra Links
 Practice Addition with one-digit numbers  Working with Variables
 Practice Addition with two-digit numbers  Solving Equations 1
 Practice Addition with three-digit numbers  Solving Equations 2
 Practice Subtraction with one-digit numbers  Solving Equations 3
 Practice Subtraction with two-digit numbers  Solving Equations 4 
Practice Subtraction with three-digit numbers  Algebra is fun!

 

 

Time to Exercise the Brain~

Grade Five Problems Who Wants to Win $1,000,000 ? Puzzler Archive
Coin Flipping Brain Teasers from Houghton Mifflin Online Mankala

 

 

 

from the previous chapter

Place Value Sites~

 Place Value Chart Play the Place Value Game   Match the Number to the Word 
 Place Value Number Quiz Write the Number on the Check Write the Number-
Math Basketball Game
 
 Place Value Word Quiz Place Value Pirates Name the Number on the Check

 

Sites from aaamath.com

 Identifying Place Values 
 Finding Place Values
 Place Values-Expanded Form
 Comparing 4-digit Numbers
 Ordering 4-digit Numbers
 Comparing 5-digit Numbers
Ordering 5-digit Numbers 
 Place Values of 6-digit numbers
 Comparing 6-digit Numbers 
 Ordering 6-digit Numbers
 Place Values of 7-digit numbers
 Comparing Numbers through Millions
 Ordering 7-digit Numbers

 

 

How about some algebra!

 Working with Variables Solving Equations 1  Solving Equations 2 

 

Decimal Sites ~


Finding Place Values
Thousandths Place Value Online Flashcard Practice-
say the numbers
Tenths Place Value Decimals to Ten-Thousandths Tons of Decimal Help from Math League 
Hundredths Place Value Comparing Decimals Make Change from Funbrain 

 

 

 

Rounding Sites~

  Basketball Rounding Match Game-
decimals/whole numbers
 Flashcards-tenths
Rounding Riddles #1  Flashcards-
decimals/whole numbers
  
Concentration-tenths
Rounding Riddles #2  Concentration-
decimals/whole numbers
Rounding to Tenths
Match Game-tenths   Estimating and Rounding Rounding to Hundredths

 

 

Fun Math Sites to Visit~ 

Great Help for Most of Chapter 1 Need help? Ask Dr. Math
Practice rounding with online flashcards Math Dictionary for Kids
Online Flashcards-all operations Tons of chances for practice-worksheets
Totally Tessellated A+ Math Games
Multiplication Practice-you set the problems! Late Delivery-Great Algebra Practice
Mystery Math-How do they do that? Order of Operations
Puzzler Math Baseball
Multiplication tips by kids Exponent Basketball
The Fruit Game Math Playground