6th Grade Math Topics
Sixth-grade math builds on prior knowledge and introduces new concepts. Pupils explore non-integral numbers such as fractions and how to calculate operational equations with them. Geometry concepts are also introduced, and pupils start to learn the basics of consumer math.
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Fractions and Decimals
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Discussion of fractions and decimals involves understanding the numbers between integers. Students start to learn basic math operations using fractions, identifying the different decimal places and how to translate a fraction to a decimal and vice versa. Teachers often illustrate this concept with food, such as candy that can be divided among pupils to represent different fractions.
Consumer Math
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Consumer math is about the mathematical uses and functions of money in society. Pupils learn how to add prices of different items, apply discount and tax percentages, and calculate change in given situations. Teachers typically impart this lesson by taking pupils on a field trip to a market. Pupils go through the purchase process firsthand by calculating the total cost of their items and predicting the change prior to checking out their items at the register.
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Areas and Volumes
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Students learn about the properties of two- and three-dimensional shapes. This includes memorizing how to calculate the areas and volumes of common geometrical shapes such as triangles, squares and circles. Aside from explaining the equations, teachers often use actual examples to illustrate these concepts. For example, using a container filled with water, pupils can work to determine the amount of water inside by using the dimensions of the container.
Exponents
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Pupils learn to identify and translate exponential expressions into real numbers. Lessons include memorizing a basic table of common exponents as well as operational rules when adding or multiplying numbers with exponents. Discussion is mostly limited to two common exponents -- squares and cubes of integers. Teachers often use math tables to illustrate exponential values and their base form counterparts as pupils learn to recognize patterns in translating an exponential expression to a real number.
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