6th Grade Math Standards for Students in Indiana

Overview of 6th Grade Math in Indiana

Computation

Your 6th grader will be learning how to add, subtract, multiply and divide negative and positive integers as well as how to use these basic math operations when working with positive fractions. Your child will also need to know how to multiply and divide decimal amounts. In this focus area, your student should understand how to use ratios to show the relative size of two quantities and how proportions can be used when solving real-world problems. Your child should also know how to determine the percentage of a given quantity.

Number Sense

Your 6th grader should be able to work comfortably with negative numbers. You will also want to be sure your student can compare positive and negative integers, mixed numbers, fractions and decimals up to the hundredths place. It is important that your child can convert between any two number forms without using a calculator, such as from a decimal amount to a fraction. Similarly, your 6th grader should recognize decimal equivalents for frequently used fractions, like 1/2 = 0.50. Other important skills include understanding how to properly use ratios, how to interpret the absolute value of a number and how to calculate least common multiple and greatest common factor.

Geometry

At the 6th grade level, your student will learn how to identify and draw adjacent, complementary, vertical and supplementary angles. Your child will often use this geometry knowledge to determine the value of a figure's unknown angle. When working with triangles, it will help if your child knows that the sum of the exterior angles is 360 degrees and the sum of the interior angles is 180 degrees.

Problem Solving

Your child must be able to break a problem down into more manageable pieces and then complete the problem with accurate calculations. Your 6th grader should be capable of estimating a solution by graphing. Lastly, be sure your student can correctly use mathematical terms and notations.

Measurement

Your 6th grader should know how to choose an appropriate unit to measure length, weight, volume, area, temperature, time and angle size. Your child will learn to calculate the surface area and volume of cylinders and prisms using formulas. It's important for your student to understand significant figures and to be able to round answers. Finally, you will want to ensure that your child can add, subtract, multiply and divide monetary amounts that include decimals.

Data Analysis and Probability

In this focus area, your child will learn to organize, group and display data in a variety of tables, graphs and plots. Your 6th grader will use data to estimate the likelihood of a future event and to compare the mean, median and mode of a data set. A 6th grade student should also understand and represent the probability of an event using ratios, decimals, percentages and relative frequency.

Algebra and Functions

Your 6th grade student should know how to write and solve 1-step inequalities and equations that involve up to three variables. Your child should also be comfortable solving expressions containing parentheses, which indicate the operation that should be performed first. Within this focus area, your 6th grader should learn to graph an ordered pair in a coordinate plane.