I hit a wall in a specific area of 5th grade math. Advice?

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Eric

January 11, 2026 18:01

In Course: 5th Grade Math > Unit 6 there are questions like the following,

"The (graph/tape/etc.) diagram below represents fraction multiplication. Which expression represents the image?"

I get the impression that these diagrams are meant to help mentally conceptualize and simplify the process. But for some reason all it does in my brain is make it x10 more complicated. Like I'm just staring at hieroglyphics that my brain is struggling to decipher.

In the questions where a problem is just asked directly, I'm flying through them no problem (so far). But whenever I get to these kind of questions it devolves into pure guessing for me.

In the questions where a supplemental diagram is provided for help, I end up having to ignore it completely and just do the normal algorithm to solve the problem.

I don't like to move on from a unit or quiz until I get it 100%. And this has turned into a frustrating roadblock for me.

As far as I know, I'm just taking the standard courses. Should I perhaps try one of the different math variants like Illustrative, Eureka, or Eureka-squared instead? Are there any resources on the site that break down and explain what the differences are between them?

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

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Eleni Lazaridou

January 27, 2026 01:42

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Hi Eric,

It makes sense that you are able to solve the problems with the functions or algorithms but not the ones with the diagrams/graphs.

A common question in Unit 6 is Area.

The diagram is usually a square representing 1.
- Step A (Vertical): Look at the vertical cuts. If the square is cut into 3 vertical strips and 2 are yellow, that represents 2/3
- Step B (Horizontal): Look at the horizontal cuts. If the square is cut into 4 horizontal rows and 1 is blue, that represents 1/4
- The Overlap (The Answer): The section where the colors mix (green) is the answer
which is 2/3 * 2/4 = 8/15.

I wouldn't suggest switching courses because some of them require even more visual understanding of math. I would suggest doing as many of those, watching Khan Academy and YouTube videos on how others solve them (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENsboYfsV94), and keep practicing. This way, you will catch on and get that skill improved.
Eric

February 15, 2026 19:22

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I'm on Unit 2 of 6th Grade math now. Had a few speed bumps but am slowly making progress. And I'm *still* pulling my hair out because of the "graph/tape/diagram/table/etc." portions of problems when they're present.

It's so frustrating because whenever it's just the straightforward problem itself, I usually fly through them no with little to no issues (minus the odd superficial miscalculation mishap). But as soon as a visual graph that's meant to "help me *visualize* it" appears, it's more often than not - my undoing. The fact that the thing that's meant to help me and make it easier, is the same thing that turns my otherwise smooth ride into a sudden train wreck, is quite vexing.

But I'm still plugging away. I don't move on from a unit until I hit 100% Mastery. And I consider the multiple re-takes just more practice. But I find the irony that it's something like that that's derailing me over and over to be quite aggravating.

Just needed to vent a little about it I guess >.<

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I hit a wall in a specific area of 5th grade math. Advice?

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