Max Maths, Year 5, Learn together, Doubling and halving decimal numbers (1)

In the Max Maths Year 5 curriculum, students are encouraged to apply their understanding of doubling whole numbers to the concept of doubling decimal numbers. The lesson begins with a straightforward example, asking what is double 36. By visualising the number in a place value chart, students can easily see how to double 3 tens and 6 ones, leading to the doubled result of 72. This exercise lays the groundwork for understanding how the same principles apply to decimal numbers.

The lesson progresses by introducing decimal numbers, starting with 3.6. Students double 3 ones and 6 tenths to find that double 3.6 is 7.2. This demonstrates the process of doubling each place value separately and then combining them to find the final answer. The lesson further delves into smaller decimal places with the example of doubling 0.36. Here, students are shown how to double 3 tenths and 6 hundredths, resulting in the answer 0.72. Through these step-by-step examples, learners gain confidence in doubling decimal numbers, recognising the consistent method regardless of the decimal's position.