Primary 5 Singapore Maths (Grade 5): Topics, Textbook and Workbook
Primary 5 Singapore Maths (Grade 5) is for children aged 10 to 11. Students master all four operations with fractions, percentage, rate, area of triangles, volume, and the properties of triangles and quadrilaterals. Explico's Singapore Maths supports every Primary 5 topic with a textbook, workbook, solution videos and AI assessment.
Last reviewed 24 September 2026 by the Explico Maths editorial team.
- Singapore: 2nd in the world for maths, PISA 2025
- Primary 1 to Primary 6, aligned to the MOE Singapore syllabus
- Written by MOE Singapore-trained Singapore teachers
- Print and eBook editions, taught in English
Primary 5 Maths Topics List (Grade 5)
Primary 5 students study the Singapore Primary 5 syllabus across two main strands: Number and Algebra, and Measurement and Geometry. Percentage, rate and geometry: the start of the PSLE years.
Number and Algebra
- Numbers to 1 000 000 and order of operations
- Four operations with fractions and mixed numbers
- Decimals: multiply and divide by powers of 10
- Rate
- Percentage: discount, GST and interest
Measurement and Geometry
- Area of triangles and composite figures
- Volume of cubes and cuboids
- Angles on a straight line, at a point, vertically opposite
- Properties of triangles
- Parallelograms, rhombuses and trapeziums
Statistics
Average has moved to Primary 6 under the updated syllabus, so Primary 5 concentrates on Number and Algebra and on Measurement and Geometry.
What changed in the updated syllabus: Under the updated syllabus, Ratio and Average moved from Primary 5 to Primary 6, which gives Primary 5 students more time for fractions, percentage and volume.
Primary 5 Core Topics and Skills Compared
| Topic | Strand | What students learn | Common difficulty | How Explico helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole numbers | Number and Algebra | Numbers to 1 000 000; order of operations; multi-step problems | Working left to right and ignoring brackets | A solution video for every workbook question |
| Fractions | Number and Algebra | Add and subtract mixed numbers; multiply fractions; word problems | Remainder problems, such as a fraction of the rest | Bar models for before-and-after problems |
| Decimals | Number and Algebra | Multiply and divide by 10, 100, 1000; convert measurements | Moving the decimal point the wrong way | Place-value charts and adaptive practice |
| Rate | Number and Algebra | Rate as quantity per unit; find rate and total | Setting up the unitary step | Worked examples in the textbook |
| Percentage | Number and Algebra | Convert fractions, decimals, percentages; discount, GST, interest | Taking the percentage of the wrong amount | AI assessment by learning objective |
| Area of triangles | Measurement and Geometry | Base and height; triangles in composite figures | Choosing a height that is not perpendicular | Visual diagrams and video walkthroughs |
| Volume | Measurement and Geometry | Cubes and cuboids; volume of liquid; word problems | Mixing up cm³ and litres | Unit-cube building activities |
| Angles and properties | Measurement and Geometry | Angle rules; triangles; parallelograms, rhombuses, trapeziums | Stating the property that justifies each step | Maths Journal prompts to explain reasoning |
Primary 5 or Grade 5? Schools outside Singapore often say Grade 5. The content is the same Singapore Primary 5 syllabus, for learners aged 10 to 11.
How Singapore Maths Teaches Primary 5: The CPA Approach and Bar Models
Singapore Maths builds understanding before speed, moving from objects to pictures to symbols so students know why a method works.
Concrete: learn by handling
Students handle counters, cubes and fraction pieces before meeting a rule.
Pictorial: see the problem with bar models
The bar model turns a word problem into a diagram, showing how quantities relate before calculating.
Abstract: move to numbers and symbols
Once the meaning is secure, students work confidently with numbers, symbols and written methods.
Problem-solving heuristics
Students follow a clear routine: understand, plan, solve, check, using heuristics like working backwards and spotting patterns.
A bag costs $80. It is sold at a 15% discount. What is the sale price?
- Draw a bar for the usual price: 100% = $80.
- The discount is 15%: 15% of $80 = $12.
- Sale price = $80 − $12 = $68.
Answer: The sale price is $68.
Every workbook question has a worked solution video that explains the method in the same way.
The Complete Primary 5 Learning Suite
Every Primary 5 topic is supported by six connected parts: a textbook in print or eBook, a workbook, a worked solution video for every workbook question, AI assessment with gap analysis, a Teacher's Guide, and analytics for teachers and parents.
Built for Teachers and Schools
A classroom-ready Primary 5 programme with a teacher interface and school-level analytics, by class, topic and learning objective.
Teacher interface
Assign chapters, review auto-marked work, see who needs support.
School leader interface
Compare classes and cohorts, track syllabus coverage.
Flexible delivery, in English
Print, eBook or blended, all in English, for English-medium and international schools.
Getting Ready for Grade 6
Grade 6 adds ratio, algebra, circles and average, and ends with the PSLE, which tests Primary 5 and Primary 6 together. Every Grade 5 topic will appear again in mixed PSLE questions.
- Fraction and percentage word problems
- Volume of cubes and cuboids
- Angle properties with clear reasons
Singapore ranked 2nd in the world for maths in PISA 2025 and 1st for Primary 4 (Grade 4) maths in TIMSS 2023. See the full PISA and TIMSS results.
Choose the Right Start for Your Child or School
Help your child learn Grade 5 maths with confidence
- A free sample chapter from the Grade 5 textbook and workbook
- Worked video solutions, so homework never stalls
- Clear progress reports that show what to practise next
No payment details needed.
Bring the complete Grade 5 Singapore Maths programme to your school
- A demo account with the teacher and school leader views
- A walkthrough video you can share with your maths team
- Print, eBook or blended options for every grade
For principals, heads of maths and academic directors.
Primary 5 Singapore Maths (Grade 5): Frequently Asked Questions
Is Primary 5 Singapore Maths the same as Grade 5?
Yes. Schools outside Singapore often say Grade 5, while Singapore schools say Primary 5. Explico's Singapore Maths for Primary 5 follows the MOE Singapore Primary 5 Mathematics syllabus for children aged 10 to 11, so the content, sequence and teaching approach are the same.
What topics are covered in Primary 5 Singapore Maths (Grade 5)?
Primary 5 covers numbers to 1 000 000, order of operations, all four operations with fractions, decimals, rate, percentage including discount, GST and interest, area of triangles, volume of cubes and cuboids, angle properties, triangles and special quadrilaterals.
Why is Primary 5 Maths seen as a big step up?
Primary 5 is the first PSLE-tested year, and word problems become longer and more abstract. Students must combine fractions, percentage and geometry in one question. Regular bar-model practice and quick feedback on mistakes make the jump manageable.
Can my child use Primary 5 Singapore Maths at home, in print or online?
Yes. The Primary 5 textbook and workbook come in print or as an eBook. Every workbook question has a worked solution video, so your child can check a method without waiting for a teacher. The AI assessment shows which topics need more practice, and you receive clear progress reports.