About 6th Grade Math

by Tracy E Dickinson

Overview

Sixth-grade math incorporates elements of algebra and geometry.

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Sixth-grade math serves as a transition from elementary math concepts to more complex mathematical subjects. Students review basic procedures and apply them to more sophisticated problems.
Review

Concepts reviewed during sixth-grade math include place value, decimals, percents, fractions and prime numbers. Most textbooks also include a review of measurement, such as temperature, weight, volume, length and metric conversion.

Fractions

Students continue to practice adding, subtracting and multiplying fractions. They also apply their understanding of fractions to problems involving decimals, percents, ratios and proportion.
Consumer Math

Most sixth-grade math courses include a unit on consumer math, which covers concepts such as counting change, figuring sales tax and interest, calculating tips, and figuring total cost of purchases (including any taxes, interest or tips).
Algebra

A unit introducing students to algebraic concepts usually includes understanding and applying the order of operations rule, working with variables, and solving equations with variables. Review of common factors is usually included as well.
Geometry

Basic geometry concepts are also introduced during sixth grade, such as classifying shapes and angles, learning to measure angles, and using map scales to calculate distance.
Statistics

Students learn to evaluate data and identify the mean, mode and median. They then practice using this information in interpreting graphs and calculating probability.

Overview