Grade 5Matheasy
Grade 5 Decimals Practice Worksheet
This worksheet covers basic decimal place value, comparing decimals, and simple addition and subtraction with decimals
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decimalsplace valuecomparing decimalsdecimal additiondecimal subtractionrounding decimalsgrade 5elementary math
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What Your Child Will Learn
- Identify the place value of digits in decimal numbers to the hundredths place (0.01)
- Compare decimal numbers using greater than, less than, and equal to symbols
- Solve addition problems with decimals that have the same number of decimal places
- Solve subtraction problems with decimals that have the same number of decimal places
- Read and write decimal numbers in both standard form and word form
How to Use This Worksheet
- Step 1: Review the place value chart with your child, focusing on ones, tenths, and hundredths places before starting the worksheet
- Step 2: Work through the first 2-3 place value problems together, having your child identify where each digit sits in the decimal number
- Step 3: Complete the decimal comparison section by lining up decimal points and comparing digits from left to right, one place value at a time
- Step 4: Practice the addition and subtraction problems by first aligning decimal points vertically, then solving as you would with whole numbers
- Step 5: Check answers together and discuss any mistakes by revisiting the place value concepts for numbers that were incorrect
Tips for Parents & Teachers
Use a place value chart with tenths and hundredths columns to help students visualize where each digit belongs - many G5 students confuse 0.3 with 0.03 without this visual support
When comparing decimals, teach students to line up the decimal points and compare digit by digit from left to right, starting with the tenths place - avoid the common mistake of thinking 0.25 is larger than 0.3 because 25 is bigger than 3
For decimal addition and subtraction, emphasize lining up decimal points vertically before calculating - demonstrate how 2.4 + 1.35 requires adding zeros as placeholders (2.40 + 1.35)
Connect decimals to money examples since fifth graders understand dollars and cents - use $2.35 to reinforce that 2 is in the ones place, 3 is in the tenths, and 5 is in the hundredths
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my child think 0.7 is smaller than 0.25?
This is a very common mistake in 5th grade! Children often compare the numbers after the decimal point as if they were whole numbers (7 vs 25). Help them understand that 0.7 is actually 0.70, and when comparing 0.70 to 0.25, they can see that 7 tenths is much larger than 2 tenths.
How can I help my child remember decimal place values?
Use the connection to money - just like $1.47 has 1 dollar, 4 dimes (tenths), and 7 pennies (hundredths). You can also use the phrase 'decimal places get smaller' - tenths are bigger pieces than hundredths, just like dimes are worth more than pennies.
My child keeps forgetting to line up decimal points when adding. What should I do?
Have them write the decimal points in a bright color first, before writing any numbers. You can also use graph paper to help keep digits in proper columns. Practice with money problems like $3.25 + $1.40 since they naturally understand aligning dollars and cents.
Should my 5th grader be working with decimals beyond hundredths?
For this easy-level worksheet, focus on tenths and hundredths only. Most 5th graders need solid mastery of these two decimal places before moving to thousandths. The goal is building confidence with place value understanding and basic operations at this level.
How do I explain why we add zeros when subtracting 2.5 - 1.23?
Show your child that 2.5 is the same as 2.50 - the zero doesn't change the value, just like 2 dollars and 50 cents is the same whether you write 50¢ or 50.0¢. Adding the zero in the hundredths place (2.50) makes it easier to subtract 1.23 because now both numbers have the same number of decimal places.
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