FAQ

Top Questions

Here's a great introduction (PDF). We created Dimensions Math to better serve teachers and students. We preserved all the methods and content that make Singapore math so effective, while making improvements to educator resources, design, and more. Concepts are presented in a new format with vibrant imagery, while the progression and scope that define Singapore math remain intact. This is our most substantial program yet. Take a look inside each book of the program here.

Please see our Program Comparison page for an overview of our core programs, including guidance from our curriculum advisor on which program may be right for you.

In typical U.S. math programs, students get a worked example, then solve problems that very closely follow that example, repeating all the same steps with different numbers. In Singapore math, students must think through concepts and apply them in new ways from the very start. Since they can’t rely on simple replication, students are pushed to greater engagement and broader thinking. In U.S. math programs, concepts and skills are more compartmentalized within and across grade levels than in Singapore math, where a strong sense of connectivity to past learning is woven throughout. Unique Singapore math methods, such as number bonds and bar modeling, also set Singapore math apart from typical U.S. math pedagogical styles.

We offer free placement tests. If you're new to Singapore math, we highly recommend giving your student a placement test to be sure they start at the appropriate level.  

Our Shop

Please see our Shipping page for complete information.

While we do not have regular sales of our core material, we do have a blemished sale section for cosmetically imperfect books.

We believe that an excellent math education should be affordable to all. To that end, we offer the same straightforward pricing of our core material to schools and individuals all year round so that we can consistently keep costs as low as possible to pass onto our customers.

We accept most major credit/debit cards, as well as Shop Pay, Google Pay, and Meta Pay. Though please note, payment method availability may vary by region.

Please visit our Returns page for more information.

Homeschooling

Welcome to the start of your Singapore math journey! 

Step 1. Learn about our Singapore Math® programs 

Our two most popular programs are Dimensions Math® PK–8 and Primary Mathematics 1–6.  

Start by learning about what each has to offer to decide on a good fit. 

Step 2. Give a placement test 

Not sure which level is right for your child? We offer free placement tests to determine the appropriate starting point. 

Step 3. Find the books and materials you need 

Once you’ve decided on a program and a suitable grade, head to the shop to gather the material to make up a complete school year.  

Our programs divide the school year into two semesters: A and B.

Our Shop 

Dimensions Math at Home™ video subscription 

Dimensions Math PK–5 Suggested Manipulatives

Step 4. Connect to free resources, news, and our online community 

There are so many ways to stay in the loop and continue learning with Singapore math!  

Connect with other parents and teachers on the Singapore Math user community Facebook group to get the most out of your curriculum. It’s a great place for sharing tips and asking questions. 

Stay up to date on product releases and more by following us on Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. 

See the Dimensions Math at Home section below for additional details.

The Dimensions Math At Home® video subscription can be used in a homeschool setting. It's now available for Grades 1-6. This is a complete video program covering all lessons for an entire school year.

For video instruction for Dimensions Math Grades 7–8, as well as Primary Mathematics lessons, visit Singapore Math Live, which provides tools and information for teaching those levels at home. 

Our Dimensions Math eBook platform was designed for the traditional classroom setting and eBooks must be purchased in bulk per classroom. Currently, our eBooks are unfortunately unavailable for individual purchase for homeschool or charter school situations. However, we are looking into the possibility of making them available in the future.

Singapore Math Method

In typical U.S. math programs, students get a worked example, then solve problems that very closely follow that example, repeating all the same steps with different numbers. In Singapore math, students must think through concepts and apply them in new ways from the very start. Since they can’t rely on simple replication, students are pushed to greater engagement and broader thinking. In U.S. math programs, concepts and skills are more compartmentalized within and across grade levels than in Singapore math, where a strong sense of connectivity to past learning is woven throughout. Unique Singapore math methods, such as number bonds and bar modeling, also set Singapore math apart from typical U.S. math pedagogical styles.

The Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract (CPA) approach develops a deep understanding of math through building on existing knowledge. This highly effective framework introduces concepts in a tangible way and progresses to increasing levels of abstraction. In the concrete phase, students interact with physical objects to model problems. In the pictorial phase, they make a mental connection between the objects they just handled and visual representations of those objects. For example, real oranges (or counters standing in for oranges) are now represented as drawings of oranges. In the abstract phase, students use symbolic modeling of problems using numbers and math symbols (+, −, ×, ÷). 

By varying the methods and phases of CPA fluidly, educators help reinforce important connections. Students work towards math mastery when they view concepts with increasing levels of abstraction over time. Not all lessons include all three CPA stages as application of this approach varies by topic. Instead, CPA principles are woven throughout the curriculum, and support other important strategies such as number bonds, bar modeling, and mental math.  

Singapore has consistently ranked at the top in international math testing for decades.  

Two international tests, the TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) and the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), assess math and science competency in countries around the world. Singapore students consistently rank among the top on both tests. 

Singapore Math Inc.

We started Singapore Math Inc. over 25 years ago because we thought everyone should have access to this incredibly effective teaching method. Please read Our Story for more. 

Dimensions Math® Program PK–5

Here's a great introduction (PDF). We created Dimensions Math to better serve teachers and students. We preserved all the methods and content that make Singapore math so effective, while making improvements to educator resources, design, and more. Concepts are presented in a new format with vibrant imagery, while the progression and scope that define Singapore math remain intact. This is our most substantial program yet. Take a look inside each book of the program here.

Placement tests for Dimensions Math and Primary Mathematics are here

Lessons in Grades 1-5 are well-defined and follow a consistent sequence. They begin with a problem for discussion, move to an explanation of the concepts, introduce vocabulary, and provide various approaches to solving the problem. This is followed by a set of learning tasks that extend the concept, ending with a set of problems to assess understanding.  

Textbooks and Workbooks include additional problems. Workbooks offer independent practice while maintaining the careful progression of exercise variation. They are where students hone their skills, and are a necessary component of the series. Workbook exercises are differentiated and include basic problems, practice problems, and challenging problems. 

Teacher’s Guides are in full color and include reduced-size copies of Textbook and Workbook pages for easy reference to every lesson. The Teacher’s Guides give more ideas for differentiation and include math literature suggestions.

Home Instructor’s Guides are an essential resource for teaching Dimensions Math in a home or one-on-one setting. They include extensive background notes, lesson suggestions, tips, and activities. Home Instructor’s Guides include answer keys for corresponding Dimensions Math Textbooks and Workbooks.

The school year is divided into two semesters: A and B. There are A and B Textbooks, Workbooks, Teacher’s Guides, and Tests for each grade. Textbooks, Workbooks, Teacher's Guides, and Home Instructor's Guides are necessary to successfully use this program. Tests are optional. Note that there is only one Tests book for Grade K, and none for Grade PK. There's also a Dimensions Math video subscription. Free Dimensions Math resources, such as Blackline Masters, can be found here.

The content was created by our team of teachers and experts with over 100 combined years of Singapore math classroom experience. The series was designed and published in-house by Singapore Math Inc. 

Blackline Masters are on the Dimensions Math PK-5 Resources page

You can view samples of our major programs here. You may also click the Look Inside tab on each product page for samples. 

Dimensions Math includes expanded teaching materials, here on our Resources page, such as videos, Blackline Masters, letters home, and more.

See the Dimensions Math at Home section below for additional details.

The Dimensions Math At Home® video subscription can be used in a homeschool setting. It's now available for Grades 1-6. This is a complete video program covering all lessons for an entire school year.

For video instruction for Dimensions Math Grades 7-8, as well as Primary Mathematics lessons, visit Singapore Math Live, which provides tools and information for teaching those levels at home. 

Yes, you need both Textbooks and Workbooks to successfully use the Dimensions Math curriculum. They are designed to be used together and the program is incomplete if one is left out. Textbooks introduce concepts and are central to learning and understanding new topics. Workbooks provide practice and independent work, which is essential for solidifying new knowledge. 

Dimensions Math PK–5 is not aligned with the Common Core State Standards, but covers the standards in its own unique progression. The few standards not included in the Textbooks (for example, line plots of measurements to fractions of an inch in Grade 3) are covered in the Teacher’s Guides.

Dimensions Math PK–5 Common Core Standards alignments (PDF) 

DIMENSIONS MATH® PROGRAM 6–8

The Dimensions Math 6-8 program brings the Singapore math approach to middle school, emphasizing problem solving and empowering students to think mathematically. This rigorous series integrates pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, some trigonometry, and advanced math topics. Learn more here

Lessons begin with a class activity to encourage discovery. Worked examples of new concepts are followed by similar questions for students to solidify their understanding. 

Exercises include: 

Basic Practice: Simple questions that drill comprehension of concepts

Further Practice: More challenging questions that involve direct application

Challenging Practice: Questions that require synthesis

Maths@Work: Questions that apply mathematical concepts to real world situations

Brainworks and Enrichment: Questions involving higher order thinking or an open-ended approach to problems 

Each chapter in Grades 7-8 is followed by a review exercise. The Extend Your Learning Curve activity encourages students to consider math outside the classroom with questions requiring sentence or paragraph reflections on their learning experiences. 

As in all our programs, the school year is divided into two semesters: A and B. A books cover the first half of the year, and B books cover the second half of the year. 

Grade 6 includes (A and B) Textbooks, Workbooks, Teacher’s Guides, and Workbook Solutions.  

Grades 7–8 include (A and B) Textbooks, Workbooks, Teaching Notes and Solutions, and Workbook Solutions.  

In Dimensions Math 6-8 Textbooks, lessons engage students with different levels of problem solving and real world application of math topics. Lessons progress as follows: 

Chapter Opener: Introduces a topic through a real world example and identifies learning objectives. 

Example: Helps students understand and master a concept through a worked example.  

Try It!: Gives students an opportunity to answer a similar question to check how well they have grasped the concept. 

Class Activity: Introduces new concepts through cooperative learning methods. 

Basic Practice: Provides simple questions that involve the direct application of concepts. 

Further Practice: Provides more challenging questions that involve the direct application of concepts. 

Math@Work: Provides questions that involve the application of integrated concepts to practical situations. 

Brainworks: Provides higher-order thinking questions that involve an open-ended approach to problem solving. 

In A Nutshell: Consolidates important rules and concepts for quick and easy review. 

Extend Your Learning Curve: Extends and applies concepts to problems that are investigative in nature and engages students in independent research.

Dimensions Math 6-8 meets and exceeds Common Core State Standards. 

Dimensions Math 6-8 Common Core Standards alignments (PDF) 

Dimensions Math 7 and 8 together cover Pre-algebra and Algebra 1 topics, with some geometry. Dimensions Math 6 is aligned with Common Core Standards, and so while it does include some Pre-algebra topics, it is not a Pre-algebra text in the traditional sense. It is a Grade 6 text.

Dimensions Math 7 assumes students are new to Pre-algebra topics, such as integers and simple algebraic equations, but goes farther into Algebra topics than would a traditional Pre-algebra text. Therefore, Dimensions Math 8 has greater expectations for what students have covered previously (particularly with regard to linear equations) than a traditional Algebra 1 text. The two grades, 6 and 7, are meant to be done as a set.

After grade 8, students may move onto Geometry and Algebra 2 programs.

Dimensions Math Video Subscription

You will need Dimensions Math Textbooks, Workbooks, and Teacher's or Home Instructor's Guides for the corresponding grade level. The video subscription does not replace physical materials, rather it is designed to be used in conjunction with the core material.  

If you're new to the Dimensions Math program, please give your child a placement test.
Which books do I need? (PDF)

Bookmarks
Do not access the videos directly from vimeo.com or vimeo.com/purchases unless you are willing to view thumbnails of suggested content from Vimeo, some of which may not be suitable for children. Please use our dedicated pages below:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome1
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome2
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome3
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome4
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome5
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome6

You will need Dimensions Math Textbooks, Workbooks, and Teacher's or Home Instructor's Guides for the corresponding grade level. The video subscription does not replace physical materials, rather it is designed to be used in conjunction with the core material. 

Book Finder Chart

If you're new to the Dimensions Math program, please give your child a placement test.

Bookmarks
Do not access the videos directly from vimeo.com or vimeo.com/purchases unless you are willing to view thumbnails of suggested content from Vimeo, some of which may not be suitable for children. Please use our dedicated pages below:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome1
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome2
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome3
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome4
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome5
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/dmathome6

Each subscription to Dimensions Math At Home® is only to be used by a single user, you may not share your subscription among multiple users.

At this time, the access period for our Dimensions Math At Home® video subscriptions is 1 year from the date of purchase. Unfortunately, we do not offer access extensions or monthly access options.

All sales are final, but you may contact Vimeo directly about the possibility of an exchange.

We are considering developing lessons for Grades 7-8 in the future, but they are not currently in production. 

Primary Mathematics (U.S., Standards, Common Core Editions)

Both are highly effective Singapore math programs. They are more similar than they are different.  

They both follow the Singapore math approach, which emphasizes the CPA (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract) progression, centers the use of number bonds and bar models to solve word problems, and encourages mastery of mental math to gain number sense, computational fluency, and logical thinking.  

If you're trying to decide between the two programs, you may find this helpful: Dimensions or Primary? 

Primary Mathematics has four editions: U.S. Edition, Standards Edition, Common Core Edition, and the 2022 Edition.  

Primary Mathematics U.S. Edition
Almost identical to the original program from Singapore, but uses U.S. measurements and currency.  

Primary Mathematics Standards Edition
Written to meet the California Public School standards prior to Common Core, this edition includes probability, data analysis, negative numbers, and coordinate graphing. 

Primary Mathematics Common Core Edition
Aligns with Common Core. This edition has changes to the scope and sequence. 

Primary Mathematics (2022 Edition)
Content and lesson structure is entirely new. More differentiation and more aligned with U.S. school standards. 

You can view samples of our major programs here. You may also click the Look Inside tab on each product page for samples. 

Yes, with fully worked solutions for many of the problems. The Home Instructor's Guides and Teacher's Guides have answers for both the Textbooks and Workbooks. They also include lesson notes and suggestions. If you only want answers to the Workbook and Textbook problems, you can get the Answer Key Booklets (there's one for Grades 1–3 and one for Grades 4–5).  

We don’t recommend using the Workbooks by themselves as you and your student will miss most of the core material, explanations, exercises, and teaching notes.   

Primary Mathematics (2022 Edition)

Primary Mathematics (2022 Edition) is a K-5 program written to reflect the current practices of math instruction in Singapore. The content and lesson structure are completely new and do not resemble those of previous Primary Mathematics editions. The development of this series was led by Dr. Kho Tek Hong who helped create the original Primary Mathematics series.  

Like previous editions of Primary Mathematics, the program builds strong problem solving, critical thinking, and computational skills through classic Singapore math methods, such as the concrete-pictorial-abstract approach and bar modeling. The scope and sequence is similar to previous editions of Primary Mathematics, and topics are aligned to state and national standards.  

The Home Instructor’s Guide and Assessment Guide (2022 Edition) print books do come with access codes for digital resources! Once activated, these codes provide a one-year subscription to MCEduHub – the online resource website for Primary Mathematics 2022.

You may visit singaporemath.com/pmaccess for instructions on how to activate and access the accompanying digital materials.

Yes, Primary Mathematics U.S., Common Core, and Standards Editions will all still be available. Primary Mathematics (2022 Edition) is not replacing earlier editions.

The school year is divided into two semesters: A and B. 

The core student components are the Student Book (textbook), Additional Practice (workbook), and Mastery & Beyond (distributed practice workbook). Educators need to have either a Home Instructor's Guide or Teacher's Guide. 

The Assessment Guides are optional and are not split into A and B semesters.

Student Book answer key: Home Instructor's Guide and Teacher's Guide
Additional Practice answer key: Additional Practice Answer Keys
Mastery & Beyond answer key: In back of book
Assessment Guides: Included in the book

Program Comparisons

Please see our Program Comparison page for an overview of our core programs, including guidance from our curriculum advisor on which program may be right for you.

Both are highly effective Singapore math programs. They are more similar than they are different.  

They both follow the Singapore math approach, which emphasizes the CPA (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract) progression, centers the use of number bonds and bar models to solve word problems, and encourages mastery of mental math to gain number sense, computational fluency, and logical thinking.  

If you're trying to decide between the two programs, you may find this helpful: Dimensions or Primary? 

You can view samples of our major programs here. You may also click the Look Inside tab on each product page for samples. 

Other Math and Science

Earlybird Kindergarten provides a systematic introduction to essential math concepts and basic reasoning skills. Through engaging graphics, hands-on tasks, and active participation, students build a strong foundation that prepares them for elementary math. 

Earlybird Kindergarten Common Core Edition aligns with the Common Core State Standards. Earlybird Kindergarten Standards Edition aligns with the Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools. 

Earlybird Kindergarten Components: 

Textbooks develop concepts in a focused and fun way. Each unit includes several lessons with a specific learning objective. Exercises that focus on repetition ensure the reinforcement of facts. Math at Home activities in tear-out sheets provide opportunities for family involvement in the learning process. Detailed instructions for parents are provided in the teaching notes. 

Activity Books follow the sequence of textbooks and provide opportunities for consolidation, remediation, and enrichment. 

Teacher’s Guides offer useful and detailed suggestions to facilitate meaningful engagement. They include step-by-step lesson plans and ideas to develop concepts in a compelling way. 

Essential Math is a Kindergarten series that encourages students to explore and understand the world around them through math. This series does not align specifically with an elementary program, but makes a good early math education on its own or as a supplement. 

New Elementary Mathematics covers Grades 7-8. It emphasizes the development of mathematical concepts and their applications, proficiency in problem solving, reasoning, and higher order thinking. It lays a solid foundation for high school level math. The series includes a textbook, a workbook, and solution manual for each grade. 

New Elementary Components:
Textbooks include differentiated exercises for students at various levels, class activities, and chapter reviews. Many opportunities for revision reinforce skill mastery. 

Workbooks include questions for more practice and tests to assess students at various stages. They make an excellent supplement, and are not an integral part of the program. 

Solution Manuals are a great resource and guide for instructors when working through difficult problems with students. They provide step-by-step solutions to the main textbook exercises. 

Earlybird Science (Grades 1-2) opens the door to the challenging and engrossing world of scientific discovery. Simple explanations of concepts are illustrated and reinforced in the activities and experiments that follow. The series is filled with interesting topics ranging from satellites and dinosaurs to the care of pets in everyday life. 

My Pals Are Here Science (Grades 1-6) offers an experiential entry into scientific processes and concepts. This colorful series sparks student curiosity and encourages inquisitiveness. Relatable examples from everyday life make science accessible. 

Singapore math programs do not continue beyond Grade 8. Students may move onto Geometry and Algebra 2. If you’re looking for online teaching, you might check out High School Math Live or Thinkwell. Art of Problem Solving is good for students who excel at math. We also recommend geometry books by Jurgensen and algebra books by Dolciani.