Florida Standards
Florida 6th Grade Math B.E.S.T. Standards
All 40 Florida math standards for 6th grade, each explained in plain English. The official wording is one click away under each one.
40 standards
Number Sense and Operations
14 standardsExtend knowledge of numbers to negative numbers and develop an understanding of absolute value.
MA.6.NSO.1.1
Learn that rational numbers include positive and negative fractions, decimals and integers, then plot, order and compare them, like -3/4 is less than 0.5.
Official wording
Extend previous understanding of numbers to define rational numbers. Plot, order and compare rational numbers.
MA.6.NSO.1.2
Use positive and negative numbers for opposite directions, like a $20 deposit and a $20 withdrawal, compare them on a number line and explain what zero means.
Official wording
Given a mathematical or real-world context, represent quantities that have opposite direction using rational numbers. Compare them on a number line and explain the meaning of zero within its context.
MA.6.NSO.1.3
Explain absolute value as a number's distance from zero on a number line and find it for rational numbers, like a dive to -30 feet is 30 feet from sea level.
Official wording
Given a mathematical or real-world context, interpret the absolute value of a number as the distance from zero on a number line. Find the absolute value of rational numbers.
MA.6.NSO.1.4
Solve problems using absolute value, including comparing absolute values, like seeing that a $15 debt is larger than a $10 debt.
Official wording
Solve mathematical and real-world problems involving absolute value, including the comparison of absolute value.
Add, subtract, multiply and divide positive rational numbers.
MA.6.NSO.2.1
Multiply and divide positive decimals to the thousandths fluently, including with the usual written method, like 3.125 × 0.4 = 1.25.
Official wording
Multiply and divide positive multi-digit numbers with decimals to the thousandths, including using a standard algorithm with procedural fluency.
MA.6.NSO.2.2
Build on earlier work to multiply and divide positive fractions and mixed numbers fluently, like 2 1/2 ÷ 3/4 = 3 1/3.
Official wording
Extend previous understanding of multiplication and division to compute products and quotients of positive fractions by positive fractions, including mixed numbers, with procedural fluency.
MA.6.NSO.2.3
Solve real-life problems with several steps using any operation on positive decimals, fractions or mixed numbers, like splitting 7 1/2 pounds into 3/4-pound portions.
Official wording
Solve multi-step real-world problems involving any of the four operations with positive multi-digit decimals or positive fractions, including mixed numbers.
Apply properties of operations to rewrite numbers in equivalent forms.
MA.6.NSO.3.1
Work out the biggest factor and smallest multiple that two whole numbers share, like 6 and 36 for 12 and 18, including in real-life problems.
Official wording
Given a mathematical or real-world context, find the greatest common factor and least common multiple of two whole numbers.
MA.6.NSO.3.2
Pull a shared factor out of a sum of two whole numbers, like writing 36 + 8 as 4 times the sum of 9 and 2.
Official wording
Rewrite the sum of two composite whole numbers having a common factor, as a common factor multiplied by the sum of two whole numbers.
MA.6.NSO.3.3
Find the value of powers with counting-number exponents, using positive fractions and decimals or integers, like 0.5 squared is 0.25 and -3 cubed is -27.
Official wording
Evaluate positive rational numbers and integers with natural number exponents.
MA.6.NSO.3.4
Break a composite whole number into its prime factors and write them with exponents, like 72 = 2³ × 3².
Official wording
Express composite whole numbers as a product of prime factors with natural number exponents.
MA.6.NSO.3.5
Switch a positive number between equivalent forms as a fraction, a terminating decimal and a percent, like 3/8 = 0.375 = 37.5%.
Official wording
Rewrite positive rational numbers in different but equivalent forms including fractions, terminating decimals and percentages.
Extend understanding of operations with integers.
MA.6.NSO.4.1
Add and subtract positive and negative integers fluently, building on whole-number work, like -7 + 3 = -4 and -2 - 6 = -8.
Official wording
Apply and extend previous understandings of operations with whole numbers to add and subtract integers with procedural fluency.
MA.6.NSO.4.2
Multiply and divide positive and negative integers fluently, building on whole-number facts, like -6 × -4 = 24 and 18 ÷ -3 = -6.
Official wording
Apply and extend previous understandings of operations with whole numbers to multiply and divide integers with procedural fluency.
Algebraic Reasoning
13 standardsApply previous understanding of arithmetic expressions to algebraic expressions.
MA.6.AR.1.1
Turn word phrases into algebraic expressions and expressions back into words, like 5 less than twice a number as 2n - 5.
Official wording
Given a mathematical or real-world context, translate written descriptions into algebraic expressions and translate algebraic expressions into written descriptions.
MA.6.AR.1.2
Write a real-life limit as an inequality with x on one side, like x ≥ 13 for riders at least 13 years old, and show it on a number line.
Official wording
Translate a real-world written description into an algebraic inequality in the form of x > a, x < a, x ≥ a or x ≤ a. Represent the inequality on a number line.
MA.6.AR.1.3
Substitute values for variables and follow the order of operations to evaluate expressions, like 3x + 4 is 19 when x = 5.
Official wording
Evaluate algebraic expressions using substitution and order of operations.
MA.6.AR.1.4
Use the properties of operations to write equivalent expressions with integer coefficients, like combining 3x + 6 + 2x - 1 into 5x + 5.
Official wording
Apply the properties of operations to generate equivalent algebraic expressions with integer coefficients.
Develop an understanding for solving equations and inequalities. Write and solve one-step equations in one variable.
MA.6.AR.2.1
Check a list of integer values in an equation or inequality to find which make it true and which make it false, like which of -2, 0 and 3 fit x + 4 > 3.
Official wording
Given an equation or inequality and a specified set of integer values, determine which values make the equation or inequality true or false.
MA.6.AR.2.2
Write and solve one-step addition or subtraction equations where every number and answer is an integer, like n + 8 = -3 for a temperature that rose 8 degrees to -3.
Official wording
Write and solve one-step equations in one variable within a mathematical or real-world context using addition and subtraction, where all terms and solutions are integers.
MA.6.AR.2.3
Set up and solve one-step equations that use multiplication or division with integer terms and answers, like -4n = 28 gives n = -7.
Official wording
Write and solve one-step equations in one variable within a mathematical or real-world context using multiplication and division, where all terms and solutions are integers.
MA.6.AR.2.4
Find a missing decimal or fraction in an equation with any of the four operations, wherever the unknown sits, like 2.5 × n = 7.5 or 3/4 - n = 1/2.
Official wording
Determine the unknown decimal or fraction in an equation involving any of the four operations, relating three numbers, with the unknown in any position.
Understand ratio and unit rate concepts and use them to solve problems.
MA.6.AR.3.1
Write and explain ratios comparing two real-life amounts as a/b, a to b or a:b with b not zero, like 3:2 for cats to dogs at a shelter.
Official wording
Given a real-world context, write and interpret ratios to show the relative sizes of two quantities using appropriate notation: a/b, a to b, or a:b where b ≠ 0.
MA.6.AR.3.2
Find a rate comparing amounts with different units, then the unit rate and what it means, like $12 for 4 pounds is $3 per pound.
Official wording
Given a real-world context, determine a rate for a ratio of quantities with different units. Calculate and interpret the corresponding unit rate.
MA.6.AR.3.3
Fill in two- or three-column tables of equivalent ratios comparing parts and wholes, like red to blue to total beads going 2, 3, 5 then 4, 6, 10.
Official wording
Extend previous understanding of fractions and numerical patterns to generate or complete a two- or three-column table to display equivalent part-to-part ratios and part-to-part-to-whole ratios.
MA.6.AR.3.4
Use ratio reasoning to solve percent problems, like finding 30% of 80 or what percent 12 is of 48.
Official wording
Apply ratio relationships to solve mathematical and real-world problems involving percentages using the relationship between two quantities.
MA.6.AR.3.5
Solve ratio, rate and unit rate problems, including comparisons, mixtures, lengths and unit conversions in one system, like which juice size is the better buy.
Official wording
Solve mathematical and real-world problems involving ratios, rates and unit rates, including comparisons, mixtures, ratios of lengths and conversions within the same measurement system.
Geometric Reasoning
7 standardsApply previous understanding of the coordinate plane to solve problems.
MA.6.GR.1.1
Plot points with fraction, decimal or negative coordinates in all four quadrants and on the axes, and spot when two points reflect across the x- or y-axis.
Official wording
Extend previous understanding of the coordinate plane to plot rational number ordered pairs in all four quadrants and on both axes. Identify the x- or y-axis as the line of reflection when two ordered pairs have an opposite x- or y-coordinate.
MA.6.GR.1.2
Find the distance between two points on the coordinate plane that line up on an x- or y-coordinate, like points at x = 2 with y-values -3 and 5 are 8 units apart.
Official wording
Find distances between ordered pairs, limited to the same x-coordinate or the same y-coordinate, represented on the coordinate plane.
MA.6.GR.1.3
Plot points on a coordinate plane to solve problems, including the perimeter or area of a rectangle, like mapping a garden bed on a grid.
Official wording
Solve mathematical and real-world problems by plotting points on a coordinate plane, including finding the perimeter or area of a rectangle.
Model and solve problems involving two-dimensional figures and three-dimensional figures.
MA.6.GR.2.1
Show why a right triangle's area is half a rectangle's, then use a formula to find any triangle's area, like base 10 and height 6 gives 30.
Official wording
Derive a formula for the area of a right triangle using a rectangle. Apply a formula to find the area of a triangle.
MA.6.GR.2.2
Find areas of quadrilaterals and composite shapes by splitting them into triangles and rectangles, like an L-shaped room or a trapezoid patio.
Official wording
Solve mathematical and real-world problems involving the area of quadrilaterals and composite figures by decomposing them into triangles or rectangles.
MA.6.GR.2.3
Use a model and a formula to find the volume of a box with fraction or decimal edges, like a box 2 1/2 by 3 by 4 inches.
Official wording
Solve mathematical and real-world problems involving the volume of right rectangular prisms with positive rational number edge lengths using a visual model and a formula.
MA.6.GR.2.4
Use a net to find the surface area of rectangular prisms and rectangular pyramids, like how much wrapping paper covers a gift box.
Official wording
Given a mathematical or real-world context, find the surface area of right rectangular prisms and right rectangular pyramids using the figure’s net.
Data Analysis and Probability
6 standardsDevelop an understanding of statistics and determine measures of center and measures of variability. Summarize statistical distributions graphically and numerically.
MA.6.DP.1.1
Recognize and write statistical questions that collect varied number answers, like how many hours do sixth graders sleep, not how old am I.
Official wording
Recognize and formulate a statistical question that would generate numerical data.
MA.6.DP.1.2
Find the mean, median, mode and range of a real-life data set and explain what each tells you, like daily high temperatures for a week.
Official wording
Given a numerical data set within a real-world context, find and interpret mean, median, mode and range.
MA.6.DP.1.3
Read the minimum, lower quartile, median, upper quartile and maximum from a box plot and use them to describe the data's spread, like for class test scores.
Official wording
Given a box plot within a real-world context, determine the minimum, the lower quartile, the median, the upper quartile and the maximum. Use this summary of the data to describe the spread and distribution of the data.
MA.6.DP.1.4
Describe and interpret in words the shape and spread of data in a histogram or line plot, noting symmetry, skew, gaps, clusters, outliers and range.
Official wording
Given a histogram or line plot within a real-world context, qualitatively describe and interpret the spread and distribution of the data, including any symmetry, skewness, gaps, clusters, outliers and the range.
MA.6.DP.1.5
Make box plots and histograms to display real-life number data, like the heights of students in a class.
Official wording
Create box plots and histograms to represent sets of numerical data within real-world contexts.
MA.6.DP.1.6
Explain how changing data values, like adding one very high score, moves the measures of center and spread of a real-life data set.
Official wording
Given a real-world scenario, determine and describe how changes in data values impact measures of center and variation.
The official Florida documents
- Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards for Mathematics, 2026 edition · adopted 2020, revised 2026 · since August 2026
Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards for Mathematics, Florida Department of Education.
The plain-English lines are EMStudio's own explanations, shown beside the official wording. They are not part of the standards.