THIRD SPACE
LEARNING
6th Grade Math
Problems
34 6th Grade Math Problems
With Answers And Worked
Examples
6th grade
How to use this resource
Here is a collection of sixth grade math problems organized by concepts, including
math word problems and reasoning problems. Each problem has an answer key, a
worked example and a detailed explanation of how to answer the question.
These are suitable for use as:
Additional practice before an assessment
A Do Now activity
An Exit Slip to check for understanding after a lesson
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6th Grade Math Problems
Ratios and Proportional Relationships
Determine if each pair of ratios forms a proportion.
4 30 4 20
a and c and
2 6 3 15
3 18 6 1
b and d and
2 6 18 3
Answer:
no no yes yes
Solve each proportion.
30 12
a = c =
2 6 5 10
15 2 7 56
b = d =
45 8
Answer:
= 10 =6 = 24 = 64
A recipe requires 2 cups of flour for every 3 cups of sugar.
If you want to make a double batch of the recipe, how much flour do you need?
Answer:
2 flour 2 4 flour
× =
3 sugar 2 6 sugar
4 cups of flour
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6th Grade Math Problems
Ratios and Proportional Relationships
A restaurant orders cans of black beans and cans of pinto beans. The ratio of the number of black
beans to pinto beans is 2:3. What is the ratio of pinto beans to all beans?
a 3:8
b 3:5
c 2:8
d 2:5
Answer:
Given: 2 black + 3 pinto = 5 total
2 black 3 pinto
2:3= and =3:5
3 pinto 5 all
Samir bought gas for his car
Gas cost $3.45 per gallon
Samir bought 11.5 gallons.
What was the total cost for Samir’s gas?
Answer:
$3.45 dollars
=
1 gallon 11.5 gallons
$3.45 11.5 $39.675
× =
1 gallon 11.5 11.5 gallons
He spend $39.68 on 11.5 gallons of gas
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6th Grade Math Problems
Ratios and Proportional Relationships
2 1
Ed and Jim are debating the answer to the equation = .
3 4
2
Jim states that is equal to 2
3
3
Ed states that is equal to .
8
Which statement is true?
2 2 1
a Jim’s answer of 2 is correct because he divided by to get his answer.
3 3 4
2 1 2
b Jim’s answer of 2 is correct because he divided by to get his answer.
3 4 3
3 1 2
c Ed’s answer of is correct because he multiplied by to get his answer.
8 4 3
3 1 2
d Ed’s answer of is correct because he divided by to get his answer.
8 4 3
Answer:
d) is true
2 1
3 4
=
2 2
3 3
1 3
= ×
4 2
3
=
8
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6th Grade Math Problems
Ratios and Proportional Relationships
There are 4 cats for every 5 dogs in the pet store. How many cats and dogs could be in the pet
store?
a 64 cats and 80 dogs
b 72 cats and 73 dogs
c 84 cats and 100 dogs
d 96 cats and 110 dogs
Answer:
4 2 8 2 16 2 32 2 = 64
× = × = × = ×
5 2 10 2 20 2 40 2 80
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6th Grade Math Problems
The Number System
a (-2) + (-8) b (-3) - 7 + (-11) c -1000 ÷ 10³
Answer:
= -2-8 = -3-7-11 = -1000 ÷ 1000
= -10 = -21 = -1
Add an inequality sign to show which number is greater.
a (-6) ___ (-7)
b -8 ___ 9
c 67 ___ 84
d -72 ___ -8
e 3 ___ -14
Answer:
> < < < >
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6th Grade Math Problems
The Number System
What is the value of on the number line?
-10 -5 0 5 10
a 5.5 c 7.5
b 6 d 9
Answer:
c) 7.5
Reasoning: Students need to estimate the value of each dash to determine the number
represented on the number line. The number must fall between 5 and 10 which eliminates
choice a and b; but 9, choice d, would be situated much closer to 10. The correct answer is c,
7.5.
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6th Grade Math Problems
The Number System
Which of the following numbers is greater than all the numbers in the list below?
7 1
-3.25, - -3.1, -3
2 3
a -3.25 c -3.1
7 1
b - d -3
2 3
Answer:
C) -3.1
Reasoning: Understanding that negative numbers are greater when they are smaller due to
them being closer to 0. Thus, -3.25 can be eliminated immediately because -3.1 is greater.
7 1
Converting - =-3.5 so it can be eliminated as it is less than -3.1. Last, compare -3 as a
2 3
decimal is -3.333 which is also less than -3.1. Therefore, c, -3.1 is the correct answer.
4
Which point shows the location of on the number line?
3
0 1 2
a Point c Point
b Point d Point
Answer:
c) Point
Reasoning: Looking at the numberline, students should recognize that each full point is broken
1 2 3 4 5
into three sections. Thus, the individual lines can be counted as: 0, , , =1, , ...
4 3 3 3 3 3
Therefore, is
3
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6th Grade Math Problems
The Number System
Which list of numbers is ordered from greatest to least?
2 3 c 2 , 1.5, -1.2, - 3
a 1.5, ,- , -1.2
3 4 3 4
2 3 d 2 , 1.5, - 3 , -1.2
b 1.5, -1.2, ,-
3 4 3 4
Answer:
2 3
a) 1.5, ,- , -1.2
3 4
Reasoning: Logically, negative numbers are smaller than positive numbers, thus, option b can
be eliminated immediately. Understanding that when the numerator is smaller than the
denominator you have a decimal less than one whole, students can eliminate option c and d
2
as < 1.5. The correct answer is a.
3
Sarah was hiking in the mountains. She started her hike at an elevation of 800 meters above sea
level. She climbed up 250 meters to reach a peak and then descended 450 meters to a valley. What
is her elevation at the valley?
Answer:
800 + 250 - 450 = 600
Sarah is 600 meters above sea level.
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6th Grade Math Problems
Expressions and equations
Evaluate the expression:
1 1
a (5² -10) ÷ 5 • 2³ b -3 = 48 c = 9
3 3
Answer:
-3 48 1 28
= (25 - 10) ÷ 5 • 8 = =
-3 -3 3 3
1 28
= (15) ÷ 5 • 8 = -16 3 3
=
1 1
3 3
= 3 • 8
28 3
=
3 1
= 24
= 28
Sebastian pays $250 each month to rent an office where he earns $35 per hour tutoring students.
Which equation represents Sebastian’s profit, , for working hours?
a = 35 + 250 c = 35 - 300
b = 35 + 250 d = 35 - 250
Answer:
d) = 35 - 250
Reasoning: The starting amount he must pay is $250. The “per hour” implies multiplication as
“per” means “to multiply.” Thus, the must be multiplied by 35. Lastly, understanding that
profit is determined by subtracting away expenses from any income forces the elimination of
choices a and b. The correct answer is d, = 35 - 250.
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6th Grade Math Problems
Expressions and equations
Kedar runs the same number of miles, , every week. His total distance run over the week is less
than 60 miles. Which inequality represents how many miles Kedar runs each week?
a ≥ 60 c > 60
b ≤ 60 d < 60
Answer:
d) < 60
Reasoning: The original problem states “less than 60” so students should recognize the need
to plug in a number for the variable to ensure the possible answer makes logical sense. Use
50, which is less than 60, and you can eliminate choice a and b. The determining factor is the
number 60. Is “60 less than 60” or is “60 less than or equal to 60”. The problem wanted “less
than,” thus, the correct answer is d.
1
What is the value of (5 + )² when = 0?
4
Answer:
1
( 5 + )²
4
1
( 5(0) + )²
1
( )²
16
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6th Grade Math Problems
Expressions and equations
During a weekend special event, the manager of a bookstore gave away gift cards to every 75th
person who visited the mall
On Saturday, 2,100 people visited the mall
On Sunday, 1,675 people visited the mall.
How many people received gift cards?
Answer:
The manager gave away 50 gift cards.
Reasoning: To determine how many gift cards are given away, the student must recognize that
the problem involves the need to divide the total number of people into groups of 75.
total people
= number of gift cards given away
75
2100 + 1675
75
3775
= 50.3333
75
The manager gave away 50 gift cards.
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6th Grade Math Problems
Expressions and equations
Maria is saving money to buy a new bicycle. She has already saved $45. Each week, she earns $15
from her allowance and an additional $10 from doing extra chores. She plans to save all of this
money every week. How many weeks will it take for Maria to have at least $300 saved?
Answer:
Step 1: Calculate how much Maria saves each week.
15 + 10 = 25 dollars per week
Step 2: Set up an expression for the total amount saved after weeks.
45 + 25
Step 3: Determine the number of weeks required for Maria to have at least $300 saved.
45 + 25 ≥ 300
Step 4: Solve inequality.
45 + 25 ≥ 300
-45 -45
25 ≥ 255
25 255
≥
25 25
≥ 10.2
Since Maria can’t save for a fraction of a week, she will need to save for at least 11 weeks to
have at least $300.
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6th Grade Math Problems
Geometry
What is the area of the triangle rounded to the nearest hundredth?
3.5 inches
Answer:
1
=
2
3.5 • 3.5
=
2
12.25
=
2
= 6.125
= 6.13 in²
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6th Grade Math Problems
Geometry
The graph shows segment and Point
10
-10 -5 -1 1 5 10
-1
-5
-10
Point is located in the fourth quadrant
The distance between point and point is half the distance between point and point
Segment is parallel to segment .
What is the ordered pair of point ?
a (7, 2) c (-3, 2)
b (2, 7) d (3, -3)
Answer:
d) (2, -3)
Reasoning: Quadrant four is the lower right hand quadrant without any existing points. Thus,
the student would count line segment and determine the length is 10 units. Since half of
10 is 5, the student would count 5 unit down from point to point (3, -3)
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6th Grade Math Problems
Geometry
Suzy is wrapping a cube-shaped box and wants to make sure she has enough wrapping paper. The
net for the box is shown.
3.5 cm
What is the area she needs to cover?
a 73.5 cm² c 42 cm²
b 21 cm² d 96.25 cm²
Answer:
a) 3.5cm × 3.5cm × 6 = 73.5cm²
Reasoning: Students need to remember that surface area can be solved by adding the area of
each shape. Since this is a cube, there are six identical sides. Area of a square is solved by
multiplying length times width. Then, multiply that area times 6.
3.5cm × 3.5cm × 6 = 73.5cm²
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6th Grade Math Problems
Geometry
How much water can Sier hold in his fish tank if it has a length of 4 feet, a width of 3 feet, and a
height of 5 feet?
Answer:
= 60 feet³
Solution: Students should recognize this as a rectangular prism and now that volume is the
term related to how much something can hold. Therefore, the correct answer is:
= × ×
= 4 feet × 3 feet × 5 feet
= 60 feet³
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6th Grade Math Problems
Geometry
Calculate the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle with legs measuring 6 cm and 8 cm.
Answer:
10 cm
Solution: Students will remember that the hypotenuse is the side opposite of the right angle
and in the pythagorean theorem. Thus, 6 and 8 are the sides that form the right angle and
used for variables and . Then, students will use the pythagorean theorem to solve for the
hypotenuse.
² + = ²
(6)² + (8)² = ²
36 + 64 = ²
100 = ²
100 = ²
10 =
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6th Grade Math Problems
Geometry
Emma and John are playing a treasure hunt game on a coordinate plane. Emma's starting point is at
(2,3) and John's starting point is at (8, -2). They both move to the treasure located at (8,7).
10
Emma
-10 -5 -1 1 5 10
-1
John
-5
-10
Calculate the distance Emma travels to reach the treasure
Calculate the distance John travels to reach the treasure
Determine who travels the longer distance.
Answer:
Step 1: Calculate Emma’s distance using the pythagorean theorem by first creating a right
triangle where the 90° angle would be at (8,3); therefore 6 units right and 4 units up to the
treasure.
² + ² = ²
(6)² + (4)² = ²
36 + 16 = ²
52 = ²
52 = ²
7.21 ≈
Step 2: Calculate John’s distance to the treasure. Because it is a straight line, students can
determine he is 9 units from the treasure.
Step 3: John will travel further.
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6th Grade Math Problems
Statistics and probability
1
If the probability of picking a red marble from a bag is , what is the probability of not picking a
4
red marble?
1 3
a c
2 4
1 1
b d
4 3
Answer:
3
c)
Reasoning: The odds of an event occurring and the odds of the event not occurring must add
1 1
up to 100% or 1 whole. Thus, if picking a red marble is , then you subtract from 1 to
4 4
determine the probability of the event not occurring.
not occuring + occurring = 1
1
+ = 1
4
1 1
- -
4 4
4 1
= -
4 4
3
=
4
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6th Grade Math Problems
Statistics and probability
The following data set represents the number of books read by students in a class over a one
month period of time: 3, 5, 8, 3, 6, 7, 3, 9, 5, 4
Find the mean
Find the median
Find the mode
Find the range.
Answer:
Mean = 5.3
Reasoning: Mean is the average of the numbers. Add them all and divide by 10 because there
are 10 numbers in the set.
3 + 5 + 8 + 3 + 6 + 7 + 3 + 9 + 5 + 4 53
= = 5.3
10 10
Median = 5
Reasoning: Ordered data= 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
The middle two numbers are 5 and 5. Thus, take the average.
5 + 5 10
= = 5
2 2
Mode = 3
Reasoning: This is the number that repeats most often.
Range = 6
Subtract the lowest number from the highest to determine range.
9 - 3 = 6
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6th Grade Math Problems
Statistics and probability
The table below shows the number of hours students spend on homework per week:
Hours Frequency
0-2 4
3-5 6
6-8 8
9-11 2
a What is the total number of students surveyed?
b What is the most common range of hours spent on homework?
Answer:
a) Total number of students: 4 + 6 + 8 + 2 = 20
b) Most common range (mode): 6 - 8 hours
A jar contains 10 red, 15 blue, and 5 green marbles. If one marble is selected at random:
a What is the probability of selecting a blue marble?
b What is the probability of selecting a red or green marble?
Answer:
blue 15 15 1
a) Probability of selecting a = = =
total # marbles 10 + 15 + 5 30 2
red + green 15 1
b) Probability of selecting a = =
total # marbles 30 2
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6th Grade Math Problems
Statistics and probability
The following numbers represent the scores of 10 students on a math test:
45, 67, 72, 78, 81, 85, 88, 90, 92, 95.
Fill in the box and whisker plot labeling the median, lower quartile (Q1), upper quartile (Q3), the
minimum and maximum numbers and enter their values.
6th Grade Math Test
Answer:
6th Grade Math Test
45 72 83 90 95
Q1-
Q3-
Minimum lower
Median lower
Maximum
quartile quartile
Solution:
Step 1: Order the numbers from low to high. 45, 67, 72, 78, 81, 85, 88, 90, 92, 95
Step 2: Determine the location of the following words: minimum, lower quartile, median,
upper quartile, maximum.
Step 3: Determine the minimum and maximum values and place in the first and last blue box.
Step 4: Solve for the median by determining the number in the middle = 83
Step 5: Solve for the median of the lower half of the data set (lower quartile) by listing the
first half of the numbers from low to high: 45, 67, 72, 78, 81. The median is 72 (the number in
the middle).
Step 6: Solve for the median of the upper half of the data set (upper quartile) by listing the
second half of the numbers from low to high: 85, 88, 90, 92, 95. The median is 90 (the number
in the middle).
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6th Grade Math Problems
Statistics and probability
Rosa is going to survey her classmates to find out if more students walk to school or ride the bus to
school. Which sample method is biased?
a Survey 25 students chosen randomly on the bus
b Surveying 25 students chosen randomly in the library
c Surveying 25 students chosen randomly in the cafeteria
d Surveying 25 students chosen randomly at an assembly
Answer:
a) Survey 25 students chosen randomly on the bus
Reasoning: Bias should be avoided in statistical analysis and surveys. Participants should be
selected randomly, but from a location not involved in your survey.
Which of the following describes independent events?
a Choose a set of earrings, put them on, then choose another set of earrings.
b Draw a marble from a bag. Do not replace it. Draw another marble.
c Pick a vegetable for a side dish, then pick a meat for a main course.
d Pick a name from a hat. Do not replace it. Pick another name.
Answer:
c) Pick a vegetable for a side dish, then pick a meat for a main course.
Reasoning: Independent events are events that do not depend on any other event. Solutions
a, b, and d all alter the probability because the number of items to choose from is decreased
when the first item picked is not returned to the set. However, option c, the number of
vegetables is unlimited as is the type of meat. The meat and vegetables do not depend on
each other or alter the number of choices.
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