What Your Children Learn in 6th Grade Math
What your children are learning in 6th grade math might have changed since you were in school–but not to worry, we’ve got you covered. Inside this article you will find a complete list of all the topics covered in 6th grade math, as well as definitions and examples of each topic. Knowing this, you will be able to communicate with your kids about their math homework. These general topics are the standard cirriculum in 6th grade math across most of the U.S.
Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying and Dividing Integers
Integers are a set of whole numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, ....) and their opposites. For example, 1, -1, 2, -2, 3, -3, and so on. Students will learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers which are both positive and negative in 6th grade math.
Prime Factorization
Factors are numbers which, multiplied together make up another number. For example 3 and 4 are factors of 12, since 3 times 4 equals 12. Prime factorization is finding the prime numbers that multiply to make the original number. A prime number is greater than 1 and has just two factors, itself and the number 1. Here is a list of prime numbers from 1-100: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89, and 97.
Example 1: Find the prime factorization of 56.
Solution: 2×2×2×7
Greatest Common Factor (GCF) and Least Common Multiple (LCM)
GCF is the largest common factor of all the possible factors of the given numbers.
LCM is the smallest common multiple of the given numbers. This skill will be used to solve a variety of math problems going forward in math.
Working With Fractions
A fraction represents a relation of a part(s) to the whole, where the whole is divided into equal parts. In 6th grade, students learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions. Students will also learn how to convert fractions to decimals i.e. ¾ is equal to 75%.
In 6th grade math students also learn how to compare fractions, finding which of two fractions are greater than the other.
Order of Operations
When solving a math expression, order of operations is used as a rule to perform the sequence of steps to solve the equation. These are the basic rules which students will use to solve math equations.
Unit Rate
Unit rate is used to find the rate of something, for example how fast is a car going which travels 100 miles in 2 hours. The answer would be the unit rate of 50 miles per hour.
Ratios and Proportions
A comparison of two numbers by division is called a ratio. Proportions are used to determine how much of something there is in comparison to something else. This would allow your child to solve problems such as, if four pieces of candy cost $5, how much would 10 pieces cost?
Percentages
This unit covers how to convert fractions and decimals into percentages and how to work with percentages in general. This would give your child the ability to solve a problem such as, if something costs $60, how much would it cost at 20% off?
Algebraic Expressions & Properties
An expression is a mathematical statement comprising variables (X Y Z etc.), numbers, and operators (multiplication, division etc.) An expression can be of two types–numerical expression and algebraic expression. A numerical expression involves only numbers and mathematical operators (no variables). An algebraic expression involves numbers, variables, and mathematical operators.
Introductions to Equations
An equation is a mathematical statement that shows that two expressions are equal. In 6th grade math students get an introduction to solving simple equations.
Coordinate Planes
The coordinate plane is a 2-D surface divided into 4 quadrants by two intersecting lines called the X-axis and Y- axis.
In 6th grade math students get an introduction to graphing points on a coordinate plane.
Statistics–Mean, Median, Mode & Range
Statistics is a scientific method that uses mathematics to collect data and information for a particular purpose (survey). In 6th grade math students get an introduction to statistics and its basic terms. The mean is the most widely used measure of central tendency in which the average of the data is taken. The median is a measure of central tendency where the mid-value of the data is determined. Mode is the number that is repeated most frequently in a data set. Range is the greatest value in the data set minus the least value in the data set.
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