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Classroom · Decimals · 5th grade

Adding and subtracting decimals worksheets

A free five-page pack for 5th grade: learn to add and subtract decimals, with a worked example, practice pages, word problems and an answer key.

Download the adding and subtracting decimals pack(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Watch it solved

59 sec · with voice and captions

A pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.

Read what the video says
  1. 0:00 Let's practice adding and subtracting decimals, step by step.
  2. 0:04 Line up the decimal points, so tenths are under tenths and hundredths are under hundredths. Then add, just like whole numbers.
  3. 0:13 35.20 + 8.70. Line up the points. Add from the right, and bring the point straight down: 43.90.
  4. 0:25 24.75 – 21.1. Line up the points. Write a zero to fill the empty place. Subtract from the right, and bring the point straight down: 3.65.
  5. 0:39 Word problems. A notebook costs $3.35 and a pen costs $2.66. How much do both cost? The answer is $6.01.
  6. 0:52 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.

How to do it

Line up the decimal points so tenths are under tenths and hundredths under hundredths. Fill any empty place with a zero, then add or subtract as with whole numbers.

Teaching tip

Have children estimate first with whole numbers: 3.45 + 2.7 is about 3 + 3 = 6. If the answer is 34.72, a point was not lined up.

Try some

  • 35.20 + 8.70Tap to check
  • 34.24 + 27.29Tap to check
  • 1.77 + 12.3Tap to check
  • 26.27 + 11.91Tap to check
  • 24.75 – 21.1Tap to check
  • 30.48 – 17.98Tap to check
  • 37.84 – 19.45Tap to check
  • 46.42 – 16.05Tap to check

Word problems

A notebook costs $3.35 and a pen costs $2.66. How much do both cost?Show answer

$6.01

Sam has $10.00 and buys ice cream for $3.66. How much is left?Show answer

$6.34

Sara ran 2.4 km on Monday and 3.75 km on Tuesday. How far in all?Show answer

6.15 km

A plant was 12.5 cm tall. Now it is 15.25 cm. How much did it grow?Show answer

2.75 cm

What the worksheets look like

Adding and subtracting decimals worksheet: how decimals work, then a first practice
Page 1: how decimals work, then a first practice
Adding and subtracting decimals worksheet: shade, expand, compare or add
Page 2: shade, expand, compare or add

Hundred grids

Six blank 10 by 10 grids to shade any decimal.

Template(1 page, color)Ink saver (B&W)

Common questions

How do you teach adding and subtracting decimals?

Line up the decimal points so tenths are under tenths and hundredths under hundredths. Fill any empty place with a zero, then add or subtract as with whole numbers. Have children estimate first with whole numbers: 3.45 + 2.7 is about 3 + 3 = 6. If the answer is 34.72, a point was not lined up.

What grade learns adding and subtracting decimals?

Usually 5th grade. In the Common Core it is part of 5.NBT.B.7.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Page 5 has every answer from the pack and a short teaching tip.