Students will engage in a number of problem situations to help them develop the algorithms for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals. They will work with percents in the context of tax, tips, discounts and total cost.
Bits and Pieces III pushes students to extend the place value system by explaining that decimals are another way to represent fractions. This concept is highly important and essential in creating the foundation that allows students to become truly skilled in computation with decimals. Beyond just being able to compute with decimals, students examine why the algorithms for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of decimals make sense.
Students will draw on and use the ideas developed in sixth grade. For example, students will use the algorithm they developed for multiplying fractions in Bits and Pieces II to help them develop and understand an algorithm for multiplying decimals.
For an in depth explanation of goals, specific questions to ask your students and examples of core concepts from unit, go to
Bits and Pieces III.
Online resources for Bits and Pieces III*
Other online resources
Note: These resources require Java in order to run.
