Practice Set · Part 1
Add and Subtract Decimals
Pick up where we left off
Where we left off
Our goal: I can add and subtract decimals by lining up the place values and the decimal points, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before.
The big idea: Lining up the decimal points keeps each place value in its own column, even when one number is a whole number.
Model to copy — Example · Subtract from a whole number
- A water tank holds 30 liters. The crew uses 12.46 liters. How many liters are left?
- Write 30 with a decimal point and two zeros: 30 = 30.00
- Line up the decimal points: 30.00 − 12.46
- Regroup across the zeros: 30.00 → 2 tens, 9 ones, 9 tenths, 10 hundredths
- Subtract each column from right to left: 30.00 − 12.46 = 17.54
- Check by adding: 17.54 + 12.46 = 30.00
- 17.54 liters are left.
Start here
You did these with your group. Now do them on your own — the model above is yours to copy.
- 1
Same stepsFinish what the group started. Use the model above, step for step.
Try it together — then prove it: Add 12.45 and 7.8. Write 7.8 with two decimal places. Line up the points. (7.80) Add from right to left. What is the sum? (12.45 + 7.80 = 20.25) Why do we line up the decimal points, not the last digits? (Lining up the points puts tenths with tenths and hundredths with hundredths. Each column then holds one place value.)Show your work - 2
Warm restartA data set has one very large outlier. Which measure of centre does it pull on MORE?
- AThe median
- BNeither one
- CThe mean
- DBoth equally
How do you know?
- 3
Warm restartHouse prices on a street are $180,000, $190,000, $200,000, $210,000 and $2,000,000. Which measure best describes a typical price?
- AThe mean
- BThe median
- CThe range
- DThe largest value
How do you know?
- 4
Warm restartA data set is roughly symmetric with no outliers. Which measure of centre is a good choice?
- AThe range
- BOnly the maximum
- CThe mean
- DNeither the mean nor the median
How do you know?
Practice Set · Part 2
Add and Subtract Decimals
Keep going
You answered these out loud. Now write them.
Answer, then say how you know — the reason is the part that counts.
- 5
Think it through2.45 + 2.60 + 2.38 = ?
- A6.43
- B7.143
- C7.43
- D7.53
Why is that the answer?
- 6
Think it throughWhy is it safe to rewrite 2.6 as 2.60?
- AIt makes the number ten times bigger
- BAdding a zero at the end of a decimal does not change its value
- CIt rounds the number up
- DBecause 6 and 60 use the same digit
How do you know? Give a second reason as well.
- 7
Think it throughDid she beat her personal record of 7.5 minutes?
- ANo, because 7.43 > 7.5
- BYes, because 7.43 < 7.5
- CNo, because 7.43 and 7.5 are equal
- DYou cannot compare them
Explain your thinking. What would have to change for a different choice to be right?
- 8
Back to the modelHow does a number line help you see what happens when you add or subtract decimals?
Practice Set · Part 3
Add and Subtract Decimals
Words and reasoning
Word bank · Banco de palabras
Use the words
Fill each blank with a word from the bank.
- A number that uses a point to show a value less than one whole is a ___.
- The value a digit has based on its position in a number is its ___.
- The first place to the right of the decimal point is the ___ place.
- The second place to the right of the decimal point is the ___ place.
Explain the thinking
- 9
Find the mistakeAnother student made this exact mistake in this lesson. Explain why it is wrong, then write what they should have done.
The mistake: A common mistake in Add and Subtract Decimals is lining up the last digits (the right edges) of each number instead of lining up the decimal points — for example, adding 8. - 10
Say moreWhen you added 128.75 and 46.8, how did you handle 46.8 having fewer decimal places, and when did you need to regroup?
- 11
Write your ownWrite your own problem about this situation, then solve it and show the answer. The situation: The space station's fuel tank reads 128.75 liters. A resupply shuttle delivers 46.8 liters, and then the docking thrusters burn 19.35 liters.
Show your work
Practice Set · Part 4
Add and Subtract Decimals
Show what you know
Last check
These two come from Lesson 2.10. If they are shaky, that is the lesson to revisit — not this one.
- 12
Show what you knowExplain your thinking — What is 32.6 − 14.85?
- A17.25
- B17.75
- C17.85
- D18.75
Explain your choice.
- 13
From Lesson 2.10Explain your thinking — Data set: 15, 18, 16, 17, 15, 72. Which measure of center best represents the data?
- AMean, because it uses all values
- BMean, because it is always best
- CMedian, because 72 is an outlier
- DNeither works for this data
How do you know?
- 14
From Lesson 2.10Which measure better describes a 'typical' ticket?
- AThe median, because the $260 outlier pulls the mean far above most prices
- BThe mean, because it uses every value
- CNeither — you should use the mode
- DThe mean, because $85 is between the extremes
How do you know?
Be honest — this tells your teacher what to do next
| I can… | Not yet | Getting there | Got it |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can add and subtract decimals by lining up the place values and the decimal points, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before. | |||
| I can explain why it works: Lining up the decimal points keeps each place value in its own column, even when one number is a whole number. | |||
| I can justify my answer to a skeptic and connect it to a second strategy or representation. |
One question I want to ask my group next time