How to Learn 5th Grade Math

Math student

Many 5th graders become confused when their teachers speak in technical math jargon. Adults who are rusty on their 5th grade math skills can also benefit from some simple tutorials. Fifth-grade math can seem difficult, but with the right amount of patience and attention span, you can grasp the concept easily.

Instructions

Basic Math Steps

1. Do three-digit addition. By 5th grade, you should already know how to perform single- and double-digit addition. Three-digit addition is the next step in the addition-learning process. To do a three-digit addition problem, set the problem up like this (putting the numbers atop each other):
   321
   +456
   Add each vertical pair of numbers from right to left. 6 + 1 = 7, 5 + 2 = 7, 4 + 3 = 7. The answer is always read from left to right so your answer is 777.

2. Calculate three-digit subtraction. Subtraction is the opposite of addition. Start off with a simple three digit equation:
   456
   -321
   Subtract the numbers vertically just as you did with the addition problem: 6 -1 = 5, 5 - 2 = 3, 4 - 3 = 1. Your answer is 135. Always subtract from right to left and read your answer from left to right.

3. Learn the multiplication process. Multiplication is a more advanced form of addition. Instead of adding two numbers together, you are multiplying a single number. For example: 7 x 7 = 49. Technically, you are adding 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7. Memorize the answers to problems like these since adding this problem consecutively consumes too much time. Memorize all of your times tables from 1 to 10.

4. Learn advanced multiplication. Start off by multiplying a two digit number with a single digit number (17 x 2). Set up the problem like this:
   17
   x 2
   Multiply the 2 by each number above it: 2 x 17=34. When you multiply a number from above and the answer is two digits, move the first digit of your answer above the first digit of the top number. The result should look like this:
   17
   x 2
   =34

5. Solve problems that are the opposite of multiplication. The opposite of multiplication is division. Take 8/8 for instance (a backslash is another form of the division sign). When you have two numbers that are the same, the answer is always 1. This is because 8 only goes into 8 one time. Now for something more advanced: 9/3. How many times must you multiply 3 in order to get 9? Three times. Therefore, the answer is 3.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are still in school, do not be afraid to ask for additional help with 5th grade math. Talk to your parents, school counselor or teacher and let them know that you could use extra tutoring.

References

• aaa (used by schools everywhere)