Adding and Subtracting Decimals Word Problems Worksheets
Help your student translate the cable-length story before working with decimals.
Teaching notes for parents and teachers
How to teach it
Identify whether cable is added or removed. Line up equal place values and discuss what each digit measures in feet.
Example to work through together
Use the model below as you explain the example. Have your student point to the quantities as you discuss them.
Build the total from equal-sized units
6.78: 6 ones + 7 tenths + 8 hundredths.
2.46: 2 ones + 4 tenths + 6 hundredths.
6.78 + 2.46 = 9.24
- 8 hundredths + 6 hundredths = 14 hundredths. Keep 4 hundredths and exchange 10 hundredths for 1 tenth.
- 7 tenths + 4 tenths + the new tenth = 12 tenths. Keep 2 tenths and exchange 10 tenths for 1 whole.
- 6 wholes + 2 wholes + the new whole = 9 wholes.
The result is 9 wholes, 2 tenths, and 4 hundredths: 9.24 feet.
8.03 − 2.78 = 5.25
- Start with 8 wholes, 0 tenths, and 3 hundredths.
- Exchange 1 whole for 10 tenths. There are now 7 wholes, 10 tenths, and 3 hundredths.
- Exchange 1 tenth for 10 hundredths. There are now 7 wholes, 9 tenths, and 13 hundredths. The value is still 8.03.
- Subtract like units: 13 − 8 = 5 hundredths; 9 − 7 = 2 tenths; 7 − 2 = 5 wholes.
Check: 5.25 + 2.78 = 8.03. The remaining length and the shipped length reconstruct the starting length.
Ask your student
Why do the decimal points need to line up here?
If your student needs help
If digits are aligned only by the right edge, use a place-value chart to separate tenths and hundredths.
Make a practice set
Select the worksheet, answer key, or both. When both are selected, the answer key prints after the questions. Keep it separate if you want your student to work independently.
After your student finishes
Ask the child to explain one regrouping mark and check one subtraction with addition. If the calculation is correct but the written decimal differs from the key, compare place values before marking it wrong. Use a fresh set once the child can explain both the operation and the units.
Word problemsMulti-Digit Addition and Subtraction Word Problems
Add and subtract cable lengths within 1,000,000 and label the answer in feet.
4 problems · Answer key included
Word problemsAdding and Subtracting Fractions Word Problems With Like Denominators
Combine or remove fractional cable lengths measured using the same one-foot whole.
4 problems · Answer key included
More about addition · Grade 5 worksheets
Grade 5 selected skill connection: 5.NBT.B.7 (addition and subtraction through hundredths in length contexts). See the Common Core standards for this grade. This worksheet does not cover every requirement in the standard.