5th-Grade Math

A Quick Math Reference Guide Aligned with Common Core Standards

5th-Grade Common Core Overview Writing Expressions

Operations and Algebraic Thinking An expression is a series of numbers and
• Write and interpret numerical expressions. symbols without an equal sign.
• Analyze patterns and relationships. Example numerical expressions from word
Number and Operations in Base Ten phrases:
• Understanding the place value system. 5 less than 2 times 7
• Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals (2 x 7) - 5
to hundredths.
the sum of 7 and 2
Number and Operations - Fractions 7+2
• Use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions.
8 times the difference of 6 and 1
• Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and
8(6 - 1)
division to multiply and divide fractions.
Measurement and Data
Keywords for Operations
• Convert like measurement units within a given measurement system.
• Represent and interpret data.

+
add, combine, together,
• Geometric measurement: understand concepts of volume and relate
increased by, more than, sum,
volume to multiplication and to addition.
total of, both, in all, plus
Geometry decreased by, minus, less,

-
• Graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and difference, less than, fewer
mathematical problems. than, how many more, left,
• Classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their remaining, take away
properties.
of, times, multiplied by,
Critical Areas
1. Developing fluency with addition and subtraction of fractions, and
developing understanding of the multiplication of fractions and of
× product of, increased or
decreased by a factor of,
multiple
division of fractions in limited cases (unit fractions divided by whole per, out of, ratio of, quotient of,

÷
numbers and whole numbers divided by unit fractions). percent (divide by 100), how
2. Extending division to 2-digit divisors, integrating decimal fractions many each, half, goes into,
into the place value system and developing understanding of factors

=
operations with decimals to hundredths, and developing fluency
equals, is, are, was, were, will
with whole number and decimal operations.
be, gives, yields, sold for
3. Developing understanding of volume.

Order of Operations A Number is Divisible by...

When you are working with more than one operation, you must simplify in this order. 2 if it is an even number.
Simplify: (5 – 2)2 • (10 x 2) + 3(2 – 1) 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3.

1. Perform operations inside grouping 4 if the last 2 digits are divisible by 4.

32 • 20 + 3(1)
symbols (parentheses, brackets, & braces)*
5 if the last digit is 5 or 0.
2. Simplify exponents and square roots 9 • 20 + 3(1)
6 if it is divisible by both 2 and 3.
3. Multiply and divide from left to right 180 + 3 8 if the last 3 digits are divisible by 8.
4. Add and subtract from left to right 183 9 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.
*When you have nested grouping symbols, work from the inside out. 10 if the last digit is 0.
©
 5th-Grade Math page 2 of 6

Place Value Chart

Value increases by a factor of 10 as you move left, ◄ (x by 10).
1,000,000,000 100,000,000 10,000,000 1,000,000 100,000 10,000 1,000 100 10 1 .1 .01 .001

hundred thousands
hundred millions

ten thousands

thousandths
ten millions

hundredths
thousands

hundreds
millions
billions

tenths
, , , .

ones
tens
Value decreases by a factor of 10 as you move right, ► (÷ by 10).

Multiplying & Dividing by Standard Multiplication Algorithm

Powers of 10 Line up numbers by place value. Multiply, starting with the ones digit
Multiplying by Powers of 10 of the number on the bottom. Carry when necessary. Add the partial
For whole numbers, add a 0 for each 0 in the products.
power of 10.
233 x 10 = 2,330 3
Step 1: 2 x 2 = 4. 1
137 x 100 = 13,700 5 9 2
Step 2: 2 x 9 = 18. Place the 8, carry the 1.
56 x 1000 = 56,000 Step 3: 2 x 5 = 10. Add the carried 1, place the 11. x 4 2
For decimals, move the decimal point over Step 4: Move down. Put a 0 in the ones place. 1 1 8 4
1

one place to the right for each 0 in the power + 2 3 6 8 0

Step 5: 4 x 2 = 8.
of 10.
2 4, 8 6 4
15.2 x 10 = 152 Step 6: 4 x 9 = 36. Place the 6, carry the 3.
7.4 x 100 = 740 Step 7: 4 x 5 = 20. Add the carried 3, place the 23.
.5 x 1000 = 500 Step 8: Add the partial products.
Dividing by Powers of 10
Shift the decimal point one place to the left for
each 0 in the power of 10. Exponents
An exponent is mathematical notation indicating how many times a
200 ÷ 10 = 20
number is multiplied by itself.
6,700 ÷ 100 = 67 83 = 8 x 8 x 8 = 512
233 ÷ 10 = 23.3 10 = 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 = 100,000,000
8

56.5 ÷ 1000 = .00565 Remember: 83 is not 8 x 3 and 108 is not 10 x 8.

Scientific Notation
Writing a Number in Scientific Notation 15,000,000 .000047
Place the decimal if there isn’t one. 15,000,000.
Move the decimal until you have a number equal to or greater than 1 but less than 10. 1.5,000,000 00004.7
Count how many places you moved the decimal. 7 places 5 places
If you move it to the left your exponent will be positive, if you move it to the right ← +7 → -5
your exponent will be negative.
Drop the zeros, multiply by 10 to the power of how many places you moved the decimal. 1.5 x 107 4.7 x 10- 5
Converting Scientific Notation Into a Regular Number 1.5 x 107 4.7 x 10-5
Write the number without the power of 10. 1.5 4.7
The power indicates the number of spaces to move the decimal. → +7 ← -5
If the power is positive, move the decimal to the right. 15,000,000.
If the power was negative, move the decimal to the left. .000047
Negative exponents = very small numbers, positive exponents = very large numbers.
©
 5th-Grade Math page 3 of 6

Standard Properties of Numbers Long Division Algorithm

Measurement Multiplication Property of Zero Divide, multiply, subtract, bring down, repeat as necessary.
Conversions Zero times any number equals zero.
3x0=0 Divide: 36 ÷ 14 = 2
Length
Addition Property of Zero Multiply: 2 x 14 = 28
12 in = 1 ft 2 6 2 r7
Adding zero to any number equals Subtract: 36 − 28 = 8
36 in = 1 yd the number. 14 3 6 7 5
Bring down: ↓ 7
3 ft = 1 yd 3+0=3 − 2 8 ↓
Divide: 87 ÷ 14 = 6 8 7
5,280 ft = 1 mi Identity Property of One
Multiply: 6 x 14 = 84 − 8 4 ↓
1,760 yd = 1 mi Any number multiplied by one
equals itself. Subtact: 87 − 84 = 3 3 5
3x1=3 Bring down: ↓ 5 2 8
Area
Commutative Property of Divide: 35 ÷ 14 = 2 7
144 in2 = 1 ft2
Multiplication and Addition
9 ft2 = 1 yd2 Multiply: 2 x 14 = 28
Changing the order of factors does
not change the product. Subtact: 35 - 28 = 7
43,560 ft2 = 1 acre
There are no more numbers to divide in this
4,840 yd2 = 1 acre 3x2=2x3
problem, so place the remainder.
1 mi2 = 640 acres Changing the order of addends
does not change the sum.

Weight & Mass 4+2 =2+4 Metric Measurement Conversions

16 oz = 1 lb Associative Property of Multiplier Length Weight Capacity
Multiplication and Addition 1,000. kilometer kilogram kiloliter
2,000 lb = 1 ton
How you group factors does not
100 hectometer hectogram hectoliter
8 qt = 1 peck change the product.
10 decameter decagram decaliter
4 pecks = 1 bushel (4 x 2) x 3 = 4 x (2 x 3)
1 meter gram liter
How you group addends does not .1 decimeter decigram deciliter
Volume
change the sum.
1,728 in3 = 1 ft3 .01 centimeter centigram centiliter
(4 + 2) + 6 = 4 + (2 + 6) .001 millimeter milligram milliliter
27 ft3 = 1 yd3
Distributive Property
Multiplying a number by a group
Liquid Capacity
of numbers added together is Line Plot
3 tsp = 1 Tbsp the same as multiplying them A type of graph that displays a data set on a number line.
2 Tbsp = 1 fl oz separately.
Sarah polled her cousins to see how many hours they
8 fl oz = 1 c 3(10 + 3) = 3(13) = 39 spent on chores each day.
2 c = 1 pt and x
2 pt = 1 qt x x
3(10 + 3) = 3(10 + 3) = 30 + 9 = 39
4 qt = 1 gal x x x x x

0 1/4 1/2 3/4 1

Time Prime Factorization
60 sec = 1 min How many cousins did Sarah poll? 8
Writing a number as a product of
What was the most common time spent on chores? 1/2 hr
60 min = 1 hr prime numbers.
What was the combined time spent on chores? 3 1/2 hrs
24 hrs = 1 day 36
7 days = 1 wk /\
3 x 12 Prime and Composite Numbers
365 days = 1 yr
/\ Prime Number
52 wks = 1 yr
3x4 A number that has exactly two factors: itself and 1.
12 mos = 1 yr /\ 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23…
10 yrs = 1 decade 2x2 Composite Number
100 yrs = 1 century A number that has at least 3 factors.
36 = 3 x 3 x 2 x 2 = 32 x 22
4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18...
©
 5th-Grade Math page 4 of 6

Working With Decimals Number Patterns

Writing Decimals Rounding Decimals Recognizing a Pattern
Decimals can be written in expanded Find the digit in the place value you In this number pattern, each number
form, word form, or decimal form. are rounding to. Look at the digit to is 2 more than the last. The rule is
the right. If this digit is 5 or more, you add 2.
Decimal Form will round up. If this digit is less than
534.279 5, you will round down. 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10...

Expanded Form Round 67.581 to the nearest tenth. In this two-step number pattern, the
500 + 30 + 4 + .2 + .07 + .009 rule is multiply by 3, add one.

thousandths
hundredths
5(100) + 3(10) + 4(1) + 2(1/10) + 3, 9, 10, 30, 31, 93, 94, 282, 283...

tenths
7(1/100) + 9(1/1000)

ones
tens
Creating a Pattern
Word Form Make a number pattern starting at 3
6 7 . 5 8 1 with the rule multiply by 4. Stop when
five hundred thirty-four and
two hundred 5 is in the tenths place. Look to the you have 5 numbers.
seventy-nine thousandths digit on the right. Since 8 is more than
3, 12, 48, 192, 768.
5, you round up to 67.6
Make a two-step number pattern
Comparing Decimals Multiplying Decimals starting at 20 with the rule add 2,
Line up the digits by place value. Ignore the decimal points and multiply subtract 6. End when you reach 0.
Compare numbers. as normal. Then count the digits after
the decimal point in both numbers 20, 22, 16, 18, 12, 14, 8, 10, 4, 6, 0.
you are multiplying.
Compare 67.541 and 675.41 Graphing Two Number Patterns
1 1 2
3 3 5 Jane and Joe are making bookmarks
67 . 541 1 4 .3 6 ← 3 decimal places to sell at the school craft fair. Jane
675 . 41 x 4 .9 ← in total can make two bookmarks a day. Joe
1 29 2 4
1 1
can make four bookmarks a day.
675.41 is greater than 67.541 5 74 4 0 Here is an example of how to make a
675.41 > 67.541 7 0.3 6 4 ← 3 decimal places chart and graph the pattern.
in the answer
﴿
﴿
﴿

Day Jane Joe

Adding Decimals Subtracting Decimals 0 0 0
Line up the numbers by decimal point Line up the numbers by decimal point 1 2 4
and add. Regroup as necessary. and subtract. Regroup as necessary.
2 4 8
32.5 + 5.63 66.5 - 38.32
3 6 12
4 8 16
3 12 .5 0 ← add a 0 place 5
6 16. 45 10 ← add a 0 place
+ 5 .6 3 holder 5 10 20
− 3 8. 3 2 holder
3 8 .1 3 2 8. 1 8
The number pattern rule for Jane is
add 2
Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers Dividing Decimals by Decimals The number pattern rule for Joe is
Ignore the decimal point and divide. Change the divisor to a whole number add 4.
Then place the decimal in the answer by moving the decimal point in both
20 Joe
directly above the decimal in the the divisor and the dividend to the
dividend. right. Then divide as you would by a
16
49.92 ÷ 6 whole number.
Bookmarks

11.28 ÷ 9.4 12
8. 3 2 Jane
6 4 9. 9 2 1. 2 8
4 8 ↓ ↓ 9. 4. 1 1. 2. 8
1 9 ↓
﴿

4
1 8 ↓ 9 4 ↓
1 2 1 8 8
1 2 1 8 8 0 1 2 3 4 5
0 0 Days

©
 5th-Grade Math page 5 of 6

Fractions
Fractions and Whole Numbers Equivalent Fractions Converting Unlike Fractions Into
Any fraction with the same numerator Fractions that represent the same value, Equivalent Fractions
and denominator is equal to 1. even though they look different. Find a common multiple of the
denominators. Make equivalent fractions
3 6
= with that multiple as the common
4 =1 6 =1 4 8
4 6 denominator of both fractions.
2 3
and
Whole numbers can be written as 12 9
fractions by putting them over a
12 9
denominator of 1. How to make an equivalent fraction x 2 24 18
Multiply (or divide) the numerator and the x 3 36 27
denominator of any fraction by the same x4 36
= 3 number.
2 x3 6 3 x4 12
1 1 1 3 3 x2 = 6 3 6 = and =
+ + = so = 12 x 3 36 9 x4 36
1 1 1 1 4 x2 = 8 4 8
Using the lowest common multiple (LCM)
3 This works because it is the same as to find the lowest common denominator
3 = multiplying (or dividing) the fraction by 1,
1 (LCD) will mean less reducing to get
and any number multiplied or divided by 1 fractions in their simplest form.
equals itself.

Comparing Fractions Fractions and Scaling Simplest Form (Simplest Terms,

Convert unlike fractions to equivalent If you multiply any number by a fraction Lowest Terms or Reduced)
fractions. Compare the numerators. greater than one, your result will be A fraction is in simplest form when the
larger than your original number. numerator and the denominator have
Compare: no common factors. To obtain simplest
1 form, divide the numerator and the
1 3 1 x 7 = a number greater than 7
and 2 denominator by common factors until
6 4
there are no more.
If you multiply any number by a fraction 24 ÷ 8 3
1 2 3 9 less than one, your result will be =
= = 32 ÷ 8 4
6 12 4 12 smaller than your original number. If you can’t find the large factors, you
2 9 1 3 can keep taking out small factors.
< so < 3
12 12 6 4 x 7 = a number less than 7 24 ÷ 2 12 12 ÷ 2 6 6 ÷2 3
4 = = =
32 ÷ 2 16 16 ÷ 2 8 8 ÷2 4

Adding and Subtracting Fractions Multiplying Fractions Dividing Fractions

Fractions must have the same You do not need common denominators You do not need common
denominator to add or subtract them. to multiply fractions. To multiply denominators to divide fractions.
Convert unlike fractions into fractions fractions, multiply the numerators and To divide fractions, multiply the first
with the same denominator. Add or multiply the denominators. Reduce. fraction by the reciprocal of the second
subtract the numerators and leave the fraction. Reduce.
denominator the same. Reduce.
1 3 3 1 1 3 1 4 4 2
x = = ÷ = x = =
5 1 10 3 7 (is in lowest 6 4 24 8 6 4 6 3 18 9
– = – =
6 4 12 12 12 terms)

Converting Mixed Numbers Into Converting Improper Fractions Into Operations with Mixed Numbers
Improper Fractions Mixed Numbers Addition - add the whole numbers,
Multiply the whole number and the Divide the numerator by the then add the fractions.
denominator. Add this product to the denominator and write the remainder Subtraction - subtract the whole
numerator and write the sum over the as a fraction over the denominator. numbers, then subtract the fractions;
denominator. you may need to regroup.
1r1 Multiplication - convert mixed
1 (12 x 1) + 1 13 13 12 13 1
1 = = = = 1 numbers to improper fractions, then
12 12 12 12 12 12
1 multiply.
Division - convert mixed numbers to
improper fractions, then divide.

©
 5th-Grade Math page 6 of 6

Geometric Shapes The Coordinate Plane

Polygons Triangles Quadrilaterals A plane formed by the intersection
Closed figures with Polygons with three Polygons with four sides. of a horizontal number line with a
straight sides. sides. vertical number line.
Pentagon - 5 sides Right - one right angle Square - 4 sides equal, The horizontal number line is called
opposite sides parallel, 4 the x-axis and the vertical number
right angles line is called the y-axis.
The number lines intersect at their
zero points, (0,0). This point of
intersection is called the origin.
Hexagon - 6 sides Equilateral - all sides Rectangle - opposite
same length sides equal and parallel,
4 right angles

Septagon (or heptagon) Isosceles - at least two Parallelogram - opposite

- 7 sides sides same length sides equal and parallel

Ordered Pair
Octagon - 8 sides Scalene - no sides Rhombus - 4 sides A pair of numbers used to locate a
same length equal, opposite sides point on a coordinate plane.
parallel, opposite angles An ordered pair is written in the form
equal (x, y), where x is the x-coordinate
(value on the x number line) and y
is the y-coordinate (value on the y
number line).

Decagon - 10 sides Acute - all angles less Trapezoid - one pair of The point (2, 4):
than 90° opposite sides parallel

Dodecagon - 12 sides Obtuse - one angle Kite - two pairs of sides

more than 90° with the same length

Volume
Volume is the total amount of The formula for calculating the volume You can add volumes together when
3-dimensional space an object of a rectangular prism is: shapes are irregular.
occupies. Volume is measured in cubic
units. length x width x height
V = lwh

height
The volume of the green rectangular
width prism is 3 x 2 x 2 = 12 units3
length
The volume of the blue rectangular
1 cubic unit 12 cubic units
or or
or prism is 2 x 1 x 2 = 4 units3
1 unit3 12 units3 V = bh The total volume of this figure is
(b is the "base" - length x width) 12 + 4 = 16 units3
©