Mathematics

Mathematics — Year 5

British Curriculum · Ages 9-10

Year 5 works with numbers up to 1,000,000, introduces negative numbers formally, and covers Roman numerals to 1,000. Students identify multiples, factors, prime numbers, square numbers and cube numbers — the building blocks for later algebra. Written methods for all four operations extend to larger numbers, including long multiplication and short division with remainders.

Fractions become significantly more demanding: converting between improper fractions and mixed numbers, adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators, and multiplying fractions by whole numbers. Decimals extend to three decimal places, and percentages are introduced for the first time, alongside converting between fractions, decimals and percentages.

Geometry covers measuring and classifying angles, calculating angles on a straight line and around a point, and the properties of regular and irregular polygons, while measurement introduces converting between metric units and calculating the area and volume of simple shapes.

Key topics covered

• Number & Place Value — Numbers to 1,000,000; negative numbers; Roman numerals to 1,000.
• Multiples, Factors & Primes — Identifying factors, multiples, prime, square and cube numbers.
• Fractions, Decimals & Percentages — Mixed numbers, different-denominator fractions, decimals to 3dp, first percentages.
• Written Calculation — Long multiplication; short division with remainders.
• Geometry — Measuring and classifying angles; properties of regular and irregular polygons.
• Measurement — Converting metric units; area and volume of simple shapes.