Decimals — 5th Grade Lesson
Students will add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals with understanding of place value.
5th Grade · Decimals · ~30 min lesson
Review: decimal place value
The digits after the decimal point are tenths, hundredths, and thousandths.
0.45 = 4 tenths + 5 hundredths
Adding and subtracting decimals
Line up the decimal points, fill in zeros, then compute.
1.25 - 0.5 → 1.25 - 0.50 = 0.75
Multiplying decimals
Multiply as whole numbers, then count the total decimal places in both factors and place the decimal that far from the right.
0.4 × 0.3 → 4 × 3 = 12, two decimal places → 0.12
Dividing decimals
If the divisor is a whole number, divide normally and place the decimal point straight up. If it’s a decimal, shift both dividend and divisor to make it whole.
3.6 ÷ 4 = 0.9 0.8 ÷ 0.2 = 4 (0.8 ÷ 0.2 = 8 ÷ 2)
Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100
- Multiply by 10: move the decimal right one place.
- Divide by 10: move the decimal left one place.
1.5 × 10 = 15, 3.6 ÷ 10 = 0.36
Rounding decimals
Rounding decimals follows the same rule as whole numbers: look at the next digit (5 or more rounds up). 3.28 to the nearest tenth → 3.3.
How to practice at home
- Money: adding, subtracting, and dividing prices.
- Measurements: decimals in centimeters, meters, and liters.
- Estimate before you compute to catch misplaced decimals.
- Check with a calculator after solving.
Practice with the exercises above, then download these free printable worksheets:
Practice Exercises
Try these on your own, then reveal the answer to check.
What is 0.5 + 0.3?
💡 5 tenths + 3 tenths = 8 tenths.
What is 1.25 - 0.5?
💡 Line up the decimal points, add a zero: 1.25 - 0.50.
What is 0.4 × 0.3?
💡 4 × 3 = 12, then place the decimal (two digits after both).
What is 1.5 × 10?
💡 Multiplying by 10 moves the decimal one place right.
What is 0.8 ÷ 0.2?
💡 How many 0.2s fit in 0.8? 8 ÷ 2 = 4.
What is 3.6 ÷ 10?
💡 Dividing by 10 moves the decimal one place left.
Printable Worksheets
Put this lesson into practice with free, printable worksheets — each with an answer key.
Before You Start
- 4th grade decimals (tenths and hundredths)
- Whole-number operations
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Misaligning decimal points when adding or subtracting
- Forgetting to place the decimal point in the product
What to Learn Next
Browse more Decimals worksheets or explore all 5th Grade worksheets.
Related Worksheets
Adding and Subtracting Decimals Worksheet
Add and subtract decimals by lining up the decimal points and filling empty places with zeros.
Multiplying Decimals Worksheet
Multiply decimals, then place the decimal point by counting the decimal places in both factors.
Dividing Decimals Worksheet
Divide a decimal by a whole number, bringing the decimal point straight up into the answer.
Rounding Decimals Worksheet
Round decimals to the nearest whole number and the nearest tenth using the 'look right' rule.
Comparing Decimals Worksheet
Compare decimals to the hundredths with <, >, or =, lining up place value instead of counting digits.
4th Grade Decimals: Tenths and Hundredths
Write tenths and hundredths as decimals and fractions, and compare decimal numbers.
5th Grade Decimal Word Problems
Solve real-life decimal problems with money and measurement. Line up the decimal points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What decimals does a 5th grader learn?
Operating with decimals: adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals, plus rounding and comparing. This builds on the tenths and hundredths from 4th grade.
How do I add or subtract decimals?
Line up the decimal points, fill in zeros so both numbers have the same number of places, then add or subtract as whole numbers. Place the decimal point in the answer.
Original & reviewed. Every worksheet is created in-house from a grade-level skill brief, checked for a correct answer key, and reviewed for grade-appropriateness. Our editorial policy.