Order of Operations

This week in math we're learning about the Order of Operations.

Numbers 

and Operations

in a Formation...

Watch this video and you'll see what I mean!

Do NOT blame me if that song is stuck in your head until 2034.

Many things in math are not up for interpretation. We need to agree on certain math rules in order for  for humans to calculate numbers and communicate accurately.

For example, if you are ordering new carpet and the guy at Carl's Carpet Center asks you what the square footage of your bedroom is, you should both have an understanding of area. If you calculate differently, you may end up with too much or not enough lime green wool shag. (I had lime green shag carpet in my bedroom when I was your age, so don't laugh.)

"The Order of Operations is very important when simplifying expressions and equations. The Order of Operations is a standard that defines the order in which you should simplify different operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. 

This standard is critical to simplifying and solving different algebra problems. Without it, two different people may interpret an equation or expression in different ways and come up with different answers. The Order of Operations is shown below." (algebrahelp.com)

What's the difference between parentheses and brackets?

Sometimes parentheses are called "round brackets" because of their shape.

( )

Square brackets remind me of staples that hold the numbers together.

[ ]

When dealing with parentheses and brackets...

For more information, games and other resources, click the links below!

Cool Math

Khan Academy

Dad's Worksheets

Order of Operations Game 

Watch this video for a review!

Division is Di-lovely

Hey kids! Let's review how to find quotients of whole numbers with up to 4-digit dividends! Sweet!

Here's a catchy tune to help you remember the steps of long division!

Sometimes it helps to have a good old fashioned multiplication chart handy. You can use it for long division, finding area, fractions, and of course multiplication. I like this one because it's colorful and easy to use. If you think you might want to use one, you can print it out and glue it to the inside of your math notebook cover.

Click here for cool Multiplication Charts from Guru Parents!

If you would like some extra help with division or you're in the mood for a new math game. Click on the links below!

Long Division Lesson

Long Division Step by Step

Double Digit Study Jams

Math Magician Challenge

Remember to e-mail me if you have questions or need help.

We've Got the Power!

This week we're SUPER excited to learn about the SUPER Power of Ten! Using exponents is an efficient way to write numbers that have a few too many zeeeeeros.

Here are the vocabulary words for this lesson: 

powers of ten

base number 

exponent

The exponent (or power) tells us how many zeros are in the number when the base number is 10.

The image below has a place for everything with everything in its place. The base can be any whole number, but today we are only focusing on the POWERS of TEN!

The number above really means 10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000.

(exponent of 3 = 3 zeros)

Multiplying with powers of ten is SUPER fun! When multiplying a whole number by a power of ten, just count how many zeros you have and attached that to the whole number! If you use exponents, they'll tell you how many zeros you need. Just ask 'em.

Now for DIVISION...

The video below will explain how to use the power of ten to quickly divide numbers. The SUPER cool thing is that you can do all of this in your head. 

Dividing a number makes it smaller. When dealing with powers of ten, you just move the decimal to calculate your answer. In class today we remembered that a whole number has an invisible decimal on its right.

8.

When you multiply or divide by powers of 10, you just change the location of the decimal point. you can multiply by powers of 10 simply by moving the decimal point to the right the number of places shown by the exponent on the 10 (or the number of zeros in the power of 10, if written out). when dividing, move the decimal point to the left the number of places shown by the power of 10. remember that the decimal point is always located after the ones place, so in the whole number 23, the decimal point is located after the 3 ones.

Games and other resources:

Power of Ten

Khan Academy

OnlineMathLearning.com

The Math Page
Math is Fun 

What's so wonderful about a zero, anyway?

Have a super evening!

Marvelous Metrics

Metric Mario Monster is having a fantastic time learning about metric conversions this week.

And why not?

Converting metrics is fun!

Some people (and monsters) might think it's even more fun than converting customary units.

With metrics you get to use a lot of 00000000000000s.

That's because the metric system is based on 10s.

This catchy tune will help explain a few things...

 

Now let's sort them!

Can you think of others?

As I said before, the nifty part of converting metrics that that you are always using 10s. For example, let's compare a millimeter to a centimeter.

There are 10 millimeters in 1 centimeter.

There are 20 millimeters in 2 centimeters.

There are 30 millimeters in 3 centimeters.

You get the picture.

Let's convert other metric lengths.

Conversion charts always come in handy!

 

 

Since all measurements in the metric system are in multiples of 10,

the same is true for capacity and weight:

Side Note: 1 gram is about the same weight as one grape.

I learned that in 5th grade and I'm sticking to it.

Gram Grape!
(grape is actual size)

Oh, and if you don't feel like writing those looong metric words over and over,

you can abbreviate them!

Here are a few fun resources about metrics:

Metric Length

Best Measure
Math is Fun

Why the Metrics System Matters

If you did not attend the Class Connect live, please watch the recording, make sure your notebook is up to date, and send me the Quick Check answers before Friday!

Click here for all of the past notebook pages!

Keep up the great work!

Comparing Big Juicy Decimals

If you ask me, 2015 is the perfect year to learn about comparing decimals to the thousandths using <  >  and = symbols. Am I right?

You can compare many things in life, such as cats and mice...

You can also compare numbers.

Before we go any further, let's time travel back to third (or maybe second) grade.

In your younger years you might have learned about alligators who liked to eat numbers. 

BIG numbers.

Remember?

The alligator's big mouth and sharp teeth always opened to the bigger number,

as do the < and >  symbols.

Even though we are big fifth graders, we can continue to use this visual to remember the correct way to write the greater than and less than symbols. I still do and I'm an old lady.

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Now let's talk about comparing crazy-big numbers with multiple digits and decimals! This is actually really fun. You always start with the digit that has the greatest value (the one on the far left). Compare the numbers with the same place values. If they are the same, move to the right until you find numbers that are different.

The numbers above start out the same 452. However, when you get to the tenths column, you notice that the numbers are different . Well, which number is greater (or larger) 7 or 2? 

Soooo...

452.781  >  452.209

(452.781  is greater than  452.209)

Done! Move on!

Check out these examples below. The highlighted digits are the ones we compared to find out which was greater. Notice how they have the same place value? That means they can be compared.

Here are a few helpful resources for this concept...

Comparing and Ordering Decimals 

(movie & info)

Fruit Splat 

(game)

Compare Decimal Numbers 0 to 1 

(lesson & game)

Ordering Decimals 

(interactive decimal sort)

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Check your k-mail for a printable version of the notebook page for this week. You can use the Grip and Rip trick to quickly add it to your spiral. Here is a look at my notebook page. Please make sure your spiral is up to date before next Tuesday's class!

Click on any picture on this blog to enlarge it.

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See you later, alligators.