Max Maths, Year 5, Learn together, Written calculations using decimals

In a mathematics lesson for Year 5 students, the focus is on performing written calculations with decimals, a key skill for understanding everyday measurements and financial transactions. The first example provided to illustrate this concept involves comparing the heights of a stop sign and a traffic light. The stop sign measures 2.61 metres, while the traffic light stands at 3.25 metres tall. To find out how much taller the traffic light is compared to the stop sign, students are taught to subtract the height of the stop sign from the height of the traffic light. By lining up the decimal points and subtracting, they discover that the traffic light is 0.64 metres taller than the stop sign.

The second example transitions from measurement to financial calculations, demonstrating how to work out the total cost of multiple items. The scenario presented is the purchase of pens, with each pen priced at £1.57. Students are asked to calculate the total cost for seven pens. To solve this, they multiply the individual cost of a pen by seven, carefully aligning the decimal points to ensure accuracy. The multiplication yields a result of £10.99 for seven pens. These exercises are designed to strengthen the pupils' ability to handle decimals in various practical contexts, preparing them for more complex mathematical challenges. Further practice can be found on workbook pages 164 to 169, where students can apply these skills to a range of problems.