Column addition and subtraction
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Add and subtract a multiple of 10, 100 or 1000 in your head
- Add two four-digit numbers in columns with carrying
- Subtract two four-digit numbers in columns with exchange
- Subtract across a zero in the middle
- Estimate, check by the inverse, and find missing numbers
You should already know
- Column addition and subtraction to 1000 (Level 3, chapters 4 and 5)
- Place value to 10000 (chapter 1)
- Rounding to 1000 (chapter 2)
Where this leads
- Times tables 3 and 4 (chapter 4)
Step-by-step practice: maths (Level 4). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Add and subtract mentally a four-digit number and ones, tens or hundreds (AS1), Add and subtract up to four digits in columns, exchanging across two or more places (AS2), Estimate the answer and check it with the inverse operation (AS3), Solve missing number problems with four-digit numbers (AS4).
Exercise P Do you remember?
Non-calculatorMethod. Add the numbers in pairs or one at a time.
- Add the first two numbers. Make a ten first.4 + 6 = 10
- Add the last number. Ten and three more.10 + 3 = 13
- Write the answer. This is the total.13
Check. Check: 13 - 3 - 6 = 4.
Watch out. Making ten first makes the sum easier.
Method. Add the tens, then the ones.
- Add the tens. 40 + 30 = 70.40 + 30 = 70
- Add the ones. 8 + 5 = 13.8 + 5 = 13
- Add the two parts together. Put the tens and ones together.70 + 13 = 83
- Write the answer. This is the total.83
Check. Check: 83 - 35 = 48.
Watch out. Add the tens and ones separately, then together.
Method. Count up from 45 to 200, or take away in two steps.
- Take away 40 first. Think of 200 as 2 hundreds.200 - 40 = 160
- Take away 5 more. We still need to take away 5.160 - 5 = 155
- Write the answer. This is what is left.155
Check. Check: 155 + 45 = 200.
Watch out. Take away in steps, such as 40 then 5.
Method. Take away 10 by changing the tens digit.
- Look at the tens digit. There are no tens in 500.500 has 0 tens
- Take away one ten. So we borrow from the hundreds: 500 - 10 = 490.500 - 10 = 490
- Write the answer. This is the number that is 10 less.490
Check. Check: 490 + 10 = 500.
Watch out. Taking away 10 from 500 goes past 500 in the hundreds: 490.
Method. Count in sevens three times, or add three sevens.
- Write the groups as addition. Three groups of 7.7 + 7 + 7
- Add them up. Seven, fourteen, twenty-one.7 + 7 = 14, 14 + 7 = 21
- Write the answer. This is the total.21
Check. Check: 21 ÷ 3 = 7.
Watch out. Multiplication is repeated addition.
Adding and subtracting in your head
When you add or take away a ten, a hundred or a thousand, only one column changes.
Look at the column that matches the number you are adding or taking away. Change that digit only.
Key ideas
- Adding 10, 100 or 1000 changes one column.
- Take away in the same column.
- Check the other digits are the same.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the hundred digit in 3275. Only the hundred column changes, because 400 is 4 hundreds.3275 has 2 hundreds
- Add 4 hundreds. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.2 + 4 = 6
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.3675
Check. Check: 3675 - 400 = 3275.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the hundred digit in 6450. Only the hundred column changes, because 300 is 3 hundreds.6450 has 4 hundreds
- Take away 3 hundreds. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.4 - 3 = 1
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.6150
Check. Check: 6150 + 300 = 6450.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the ten digit in 6024. Only the ten column changes, because 20 is 2 tens.6024 has 2 tens
- Take away 2 tens. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.2 - 2 = 0
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.6004
Check. Check: 6004 + 20 = 6024.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Watch out
Watch out. 6024 - 20 is 6004, because only the tens change. Do not change the ones.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Which column changes?” before the child works out the answer.
Exercise 3A Practice: adding and subtracting in your head
Non-calculatorMethod. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the thousand digit in 5490. Only the thousand column changes, because 3000 is 3 thousands.5490 has 5 thousands
- Take away 3 thousands. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.5 - 3 = 2
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.2490
Check. Check: 2490 + 3000 = 5490.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the thousand digit in 6811. Only the thousand column changes, because 2000 is 2 thousands.6811 has 6 thousands
- Add 2 thousands. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.6 + 2 = 8
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.8811
Check. Check: 8811 - 2000 = 6811.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the thousand digit in 8853. Only the thousand column changes, because 3000 is 3 thousands.8853 has 8 thousands
- Take away 3 thousands. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.8 - 3 = 5
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.5853
Check. Check: 5853 + 3000 = 8853.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the thousand digit in 2338. Only the thousand column changes, because 2000 is 2 thousands.2338 has 2 thousands
- Add 2 thousands. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.2 + 2 = 4
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.4338
Check. Check: 4338 - 2000 = 2338.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the hundred digit in 5704. Only the hundred column changes, because 100 is 1 hundreds.5704 has 7 hundreds
- Add 1 hundreds. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.7 + 1 = 8
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.5804
Check. Check: 5804 - 100 = 5704.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the ten digit in 2861. Only the ten column changes, because 20 is 2 tens.2861 has 6 tens
- Add 2 tens. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.6 + 2 = 8
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.2881
Check. Check: 2881 - 20 = 2861.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the ten digit in 7591. Only the ten column changes, because 30 is 3 tens.7591 has 9 tens
- Take away 3 tens. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.9 - 3 = 6
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.7561
Check. Check: 7561 + 30 = 7591.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the ten digit in 7918. Only the ten column changes, because 50 is 5 tens.7918 has 1 tens
- Add 5 tens. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.1 + 5 = 6
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.7968
Check. Check: 7968 - 50 = 7918.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the hundred digit in 7469. Only the hundred column changes, because 100 is 1 hundreds.7469 has 4 hundreds
- Add 1 hundreds. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.4 + 1 = 5
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.7569
Check. Check: 7569 - 100 = 7469.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the hundred digit in 6650. Only the hundred column changes, because 400 is 4 hundreds.6650 has 6 hundreds
- Take away 4 hundreds. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.6 - 4 = 2
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.6250
Check. Check: 6250 + 400 = 6650.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the ten digit in 9091. Only the ten column changes, because 30 is 3 tens.9091 has 9 tens
- Take away 3 tens. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.9 - 3 = 6
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.9061
Check. Check: 9061 + 30 = 9091.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Split one number, then add the parts in stages.
- Split the second number. Think of the hundreds part and the rest.765 = 700 + 65
- Add the hundreds first. Add the thousands and hundreds together.6856 + 700 = 7556
- Add the rest. Then add the last part.7556 + 65 = 7621
- Write the answer. This is the total.7621
Check. Check: 7621 - 765 = 6856.
Watch out. Adding in stages is quicker than writing the sum in columns, when the numbers are friendly.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the thousand digit in 9890. Only the thousand column changes, because 3000 is 3 thousands.9890 has 9 thousands
- Take away 3 thousands. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.9 - 3 = 6
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.6890
Check. Check: 6890 + 3000 = 9890.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the thousand digit in 8517. Only the thousand column changes, because 2000 is 2 thousands.8517 has 8 thousands
- Take away 2 thousands. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.8 - 2 = 6
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.6517
Check. Check: 6517 + 2000 = 8517.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the thousand digit in 8619. Only the thousand column changes, because 3000 is 3 thousands.8619 has 8 thousands
- Take away 3 thousands. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.8 - 3 = 5
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.5619
Check. Check: 5619 + 3000 = 8619.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Split one number, then add the parts in stages.
- Split the second number. Think of the hundreds part and the rest.732 = 700 + 32
- Add the hundreds first. Add the thousands and hundreds together.2627 + 700 = 3327
- Add the rest. Then add the last part.3327 + 32 = 3359
- Write the answer. This is the total.3359
Check. Check: 3359 - 732 = 2627.
Watch out. Adding in stages is quicker than writing the sum in columns, when the numbers are friendly.
Column addition with carrying
Write the numbers in columns, with the thousands, hundreds, tens and ones lined up.
Add the ones first. If the total is 10 or more, write the ones digit and carry the ten to the tens column. Keep going to the thousands.
Key ideas
- Line up the place value columns.
- Add the ones first, then the tens, hundreds and thousands.
- Carry 1 when a column is 10 or more.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 5 = 11: Write 1 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 7 + 1 = 10: Write 0 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 3 + 1 = 12: Write 2 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.4 + 2 + 1 = 7: Write 7. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.7201
Check. Check: 7201 - 2375 = 4826.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.7 + 6 = 13: Write 3 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.4 + 9 + 1 = 14: Write 4 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.0 + 5 + 1 = 6: Write 6. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.3 + 2 = 5: Write 5. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.5643
Check. Check: 5643 - 2596 = 3047.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.9 + 8 = 17: Write 7 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.5 + 7 + 1 = 13: Write 3 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 3 + 1 = 12: Write 2 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.1 + 6 + 1 = 8: Write 8. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.8237
Check. Check: 8237 - 6378 = 1859.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Watch out
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1. In 2375 + 4826, the ones make 11, so carry 1 to the tens.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask the child to say the carry out loud: “Six and five is eleven, write one, carry one.”
Exercise 3B Practice: column addition
Non-calculatorMethod. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 5 = 7: Write 7. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 0 = 8: Write 8. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.5 + 0 = 5: Write 5. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.5 + 2 = 7: Write 7. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.7587
Check. Check: 7587 - 2005 = 5582.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 0 = 2: Write 2. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.5 + 7 = 12: Write 2 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.9 + 2 + 1 = 12: Write 2 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 1 + 1 = 8: Write 8. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.8222
Check. Check: 8222 - 1270 = 6952.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.5 + 6 = 11: Write 1 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.9 + 2 + 1 = 12: Write 2 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 1 + 1 = 8: Write 8. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 1 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.9821
Check. Check: 9821 - 1126 = 8695.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.4 + 0 = 4: Write 4. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.0 + 4 = 4: Write 4. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 2 = 8: Write 8. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.5 + 1 = 6: Write 6. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.6844
Check. Check: 6844 - 1240 = 5604.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 7 = 13: Write 3 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.1 + 2 + 1 = 4: Write 4. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.0 + 6 = 6: Write 6. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.3 + 6 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.9643
Check. Check: 9643 - 6627 = 3016.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 0 = 2: Write 2. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.9 + 3 = 12: Write 2 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.4 + 4 + 1 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.3 + 3 = 6: Write 6. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.6922
Check. Check: 6922 - 3430 = 3492.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 7 = 13: Write 3 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 0 + 1 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.1 + 4 = 5: Write 5. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.1 + 4 = 5: Write 5. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.5593
Check. Check: 5593 - 4407 = 1186.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.9 + 3 = 12: Write 2 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.7 + 6 + 1 = 14: Write 4 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 8 + 1 = 11: Write 1 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.3 + 2 + 1 = 6: Write 6. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.6142
Check. Check: 6142 - 2863 = 3279.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 3 = 5: Write 5. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.9 + 1 = 10: Write 0 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.5 + 5 + 1 = 11: Write 1 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.4 + 2 + 1 = 7: Write 7. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.7105
Check. Check: 7105 - 2513 = 4592.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.1 + 8 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.4 + 3 = 7: Write 7. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.3 + 4 = 7: Write 7. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 3 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.9779
Check. Check: 9779 - 3438 = 6341.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 8 = 16: Write 6 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.9 + 0 + 1 = 10: Write 0 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 9 + 1 = 18: Write 8 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.4 + 3 + 1 = 8: Write 8. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.8806
Check. Check: 8806 - 3908 = 4898.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.7 + 2 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.3 + 4 = 7: Write 7. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 2 = 4: Write 4. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 2 = 8: Write 8. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.8479
Check. Check: 8479 - 2242 = 6237.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 8 = 14: Write 4 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.7 + 7 + 1 = 15: Write 5 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 0 + 1 = 7: Write 7. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 3 = 5: Write 5. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.5754
Check. Check: 5754 - 3078 = 2676.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 6 = 14: Write 4 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.9 + 6 + 1 = 16: Write 6 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.9 + 2 + 1 = 12: Write 2 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 2 + 1 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.9264
Check. Check: 9264 - 2266 = 6998.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 8 = 14: Write 4 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 6 + 1 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 9 = 11: Write 1 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.7 + 1 + 1 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.9194
Check. Check: 9194 - 1968 = 7226.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.5 + 4 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.5 + 4 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 0 = 2: Write 2. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 1 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.9299
Check. Check: 9299 - 1044 = 8255.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Column subtraction with exchange
Subtract the ones first. If the top digit is too small, exchange 1 ten from the tens column for 10 ones.
If a column is too small, exchange again from the column on its left. Work from the ones to the thousands.
Key ideas
- Work from the ones, column by column.
- Exchange 1 from the column on the left when the top digit is too small.
- Subtract the bottom digit from the top digit in each column.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 7 to 6; ones: 1 to 11
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.11 - 5 = 6
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 2 to 1; tens: 6 to 16
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.16 - 8 = 8
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 5 to 4; hundreds: 1 to 11
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.11 - 3 = 8
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.4 - 2 = 2
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.2886
Check. Check: 2886 + 2385 = 5271.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 6 to 5; ones: 2 to 12
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.12 - 5 = 7
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 4 to 3; tens: 5 to 15
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.15 - 7 = 8
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 3 to 2; hundreds: 3 to 13
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.13 - 8 = 5
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.2 - 1 = 1
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.1587
Check. Check: 1587 + 1875 = 3462.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 3 to 2; ones: 5 to 15
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.15 - 8 = 7
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 1 to 0; tens: 2 to 12
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.12 - 4 = 8
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 6 to 5; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 7 = 3
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.5 - 2 = 3
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.3387
Check. Check: 3387 + 2748 = 6135.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Watch out
Watch out. Exchange before you subtract. In 5271 - 2385, the ones 1 is too small for 5, so exchange a ten first.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Is the top digit big enough? If not, what can you exchange?” Let the child check by adding back.
Exercise 3C Practice: column subtraction with exchange
Non-calculatorMethod. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 4 = 5
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 2 to 1; tens: 0 to 10
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 7 = 3
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 9 to 8; hundreds: 1 to 11
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.11 - 6 = 5
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 7 = 1
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.1535
Check. Check: 1535 + 7674 = 9209.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 3 to 2; ones: 0 to 10
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 6 = 4
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 6 to 5; tens: 2 to 12
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.12 - 9 = 3
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.5 - 4 = 1
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.5 - 5 = 0
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.134
Check. Check: 134 + 5496 = 5630.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.6 - 4 = 2
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 7 to 6; tens: 1 to 11
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.11 - 7 = 4
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.6 - 6 = 0
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.7 - 5 = 2
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.2042
Check. Check: 2042 + 5674 = 7716.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 7 = 2
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 2 to 1; tens: 2 to 12
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.12 - 4 = 8
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 5 to 4; hundreds: 1 to 11
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.11 - 8 = 3
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.4 - 2 = 2
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.2382
Check. Check: 2382 + 2847 = 5229.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 7 to 6; ones: 0 to 10
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 2 = 8
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.6 - 5 = 1
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.5 - 3 = 2
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 2 = 6
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.6218
Check. Check: 6218 + 2352 = 8570.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 8 to 7; ones: 4 to 14
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.14 - 9 = 5
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.7 - 0 = 7
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.4 - 0 = 4
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 6 = 2
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.2475
Check. Check: 2475 + 6009 = 8484.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 0 = 9
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 6 to 5; tens: 4 to 14
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.14 - 6 = 8
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 8 to 7; hundreds: 5 to 15
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.15 - 7 = 8
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.7 - 7 = 0
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.889
Check. Check: 889 + 7760 = 8649.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.6 - 0 = 6
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 7 = 2
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 7 to 6; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 7 = 3
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.6 - 2 = 4
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.4326
Check. Check: 4326 + 2770 = 7096.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 7 to 6; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 10 to 9; ones: 0 to 10
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 1 = 9
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 9 = 0
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 8 = 1
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.6 - 1 = 5
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.5109
Check. Check: 5109 + 1891 = 7000.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.5 - 0 = 5
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 1 to 0; tens: 4 to 14
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.14 - 7 = 7
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 2 to 1; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 1 = 9
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.1 - 1 = 0
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.975
Check. Check: 975 + 1170 = 2145.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 9 to 8; ones: 0 to 10
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 4 = 6
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 1 = 7
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 5 to 4; hundreds: 5 to 15
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.15 - 9 = 6
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.4 - 2 = 2
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.2676
Check. Check: 2676 + 2914 = 5590.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 9 to 8; ones: 4 to 14
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.14 - 8 = 6
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 3 = 5
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 3 = 6
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.5 - 3 = 2
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.2656
Check. Check: 2656 + 3338 = 5994.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 9 = 0
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.1 - 1 = 0
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 9 to 8; hundreds: 4 to 14
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.14 - 8 = 6
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 5 = 3
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.3600
Check. Check: 3600 + 5819 = 9419.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 3 to 2; tens: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 10 to 9; ones: 4 to 14
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.14 - 6 = 8
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 7 = 2
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.2 - 1 = 1
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 8 = 1
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.1128
Check. Check: 1128 + 8176 = 9304.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 3 to 2; tens: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 10 to 9; ones: 5 to 15
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.15 - 7 = 8
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 5 = 4
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 9 to 8; hundreds: 2 to 12
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.12 - 7 = 5
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 8 = 0
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.548
Check. Check: 548 + 8757 = 9305.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 6 to 5; ones: 5 to 15
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.15 - 6 = 9
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.5 - 5 = 0
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 6 = 2
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.7 - 7 = 0
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.209
Check. Check: 209 + 7656 = 7865.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Subtraction with a zero in the middle
A zero cannot give a ten. In 5004 - 2378 there are no tens and no hundreds to exchange from.
Go left to the first column that is not zero. Exchange 1 from there, then make each zero 9 as you go along.
Key ideas
- A zero cannot be exchanged from.
- Exchange from the first column on the left that is not zero.
- Each zero that you pass becomes 9.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 5 to 4; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 10 to 9; ones: 4 to 14
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.14 - 8 = 6
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 7 = 2
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 3 = 6
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.4 - 2 = 2
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.2626
Check. Check: 2626 + 2378 = 5004.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 3 to 2; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 10 to 9; ones: 1 to 11
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.11 - 5 = 6
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 4 = 5
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 2 = 7
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.2 - 1 = 1
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.1756
Check. Check: 1756 + 1245 = 3001.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 5 to 4; tens: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 10 to 9; ones: 0 to 10
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 8 = 2
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 6 = 3
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.4 - 2 = 2
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.4 - 1 = 3
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.3232
Check. Check: 3232 + 1268 = 4500.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Watch out
Watch out. 5004 - 2378 is 2626, not 2636. Each zero becomes 9 after the exchange, and the last column gets 10 more.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask the child to point to the first non-zero digit on the left before exchanging.
Exercise 3D Practice: subtraction across zeros
Non-calculatorMethod. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 3 = 5
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 4 to 3; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 7 to 17
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.17 - 9 = 8
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 8 = 1
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.3 - 3 = 0
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.185
Check. Check: 185 + 3893 = 4078.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 7 to 6; ones: 0 to 10
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 2 = 8
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 2 to 1; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 6 to 16
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.16 - 8 = 8
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 7 = 2
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.1 - 1 = 0
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.288
Check. Check: 288 + 1782 = 2070.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 8 = 0
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 5 to 4; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 4 to 14
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.14 - 8 = 6
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 2 = 7
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.4 - 4 = 0
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.760
Check. Check: 760 + 4288 = 5048.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 7 to 6; ones: 2 to 12
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.12 - 5 = 7
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 9 to 8; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 6 to 16
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.16 - 8 = 8
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 1 = 8
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 2 = 6
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.6887
Check. Check: 6887 + 2185 = 9072.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.2 - 1 = 1
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 9 to 8; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 7 to 17
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.17 - 9 = 8
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 1 = 8
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 1 = 7
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.7881
Check. Check: 7881 + 1191 = 9072.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 5 to 4; ones: 0 to 10
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 7 = 3
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 5 to 4; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 4 to 14
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.14 - 5 = 9
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 7 = 2
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.4 - 4 = 0
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.293
Check. Check: 293 + 4757 = 5050.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 7 to 6; ones: 8 to 18
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.18 - 9 = 9
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 8 to 7; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 6 to 16
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.16 - 9 = 7
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 5 = 4
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.7 - 1 = 6
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.6479
Check. Check: 6479 + 1599 = 8078.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 4 to 3; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 10 to 9; ones: 2 to 12
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.12 - 8 = 4
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 8 = 1
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 4 = 5
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.3 - 1 = 2
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.2514
Check. Check: 2514 + 1488 = 4002.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 6 to 5; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 10 to 9; ones: 5 to 15
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.15 - 6 = 9
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 7 = 2
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 5 = 4
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.5 - 1 = 4
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.4429
Check. Check: 4429 + 1576 = 6005.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.2 - 0 = 2
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 2 to 1; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 0 to 10
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 9 = 1
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 5 = 4
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.1 - 1 = 0
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.412
Check. Check: 412 + 1590 = 2002.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 1 to 0; ones: 2 to 12
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.12 - 8 = 4
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.0 - 0 = 0
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 2 to 1; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 4 = 6
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.1 - 1 = 0
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.604
Check. Check: 604 + 1408 = 2012.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.1 - 0 = 1
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 3 to 2; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 4 to 14
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.14 - 6 = 8
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 1 = 8
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.2 - 2 = 0
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.881
Check. Check: 881 + 2160 = 3041.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 3 = 5
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 8 to 7; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 3 to 13
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.13 - 4 = 9
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 5 = 4
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.7 - 6 = 1
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.1495
Check. Check: 1495 + 6543 = 8038.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.6 - 3 = 3
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 2 to 1; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 6 to 16
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.16 - 8 = 8
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 6 = 3
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.1 - 1 = 0
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.383
Check. Check: 383 + 1683 = 2066.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 2 to 1; ones: 2 to 12
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.12 - 5 = 7
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 8 to 7; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 1 to 11
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.11 - 8 = 3
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 0 = 9
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.7 - 3 = 4
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.4937
Check. Check: 4937 + 3085 = 8022.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 4 to 3; ones: 1 to 11
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.11 - 3 = 8
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.3 - 0 = 3
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 6 to 5; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 8 = 2
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.5 - 3 = 2
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.2238
Check. Check: 2238 + 3803 = 6041.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Estimating, checking and missing numbers
Estimate first: round each number to the nearest thousand, then add or subtract. Your exact answer should be close to the estimate.
Check an addition by subtracting. Check a subtraction by adding. For a missing number, use the inverse operation.
Key ideas
- Estimate by rounding to the nearest 1000.
- Check with the inverse: subtract to check an addition.
- For a missing number, do the opposite operation.
Method. Round each number, then add the rounded numbers. This gives an estimate close to the answer.
- Round 4826 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones: 826 is more than 500.4826 rounds to 5000
- Round 2375 to the nearest 1000. Look at 375: it is less than 500.2375 rounds to 2000
- Add the rounded numbers. This gives the estimate.5000 + 2000 = 7000
- Write the estimate. The exact total, 7201, is close to this.7000
Check. Check: the exact answer 4826 + 2375 = 7201 is close to 7000.
Watch out. An estimate should be about the size of the exact answer.
Method. Use the inverse operation to find the missing number.
- Find what must be added. The gap is the difference between the total and the known number.5000 - 3456 = 1544
- Check the sum. Put the missing number back in the sum.3456 + 1544 = 5000
- Write the missing number. It fills the gap.1544
Check. Check: 3456 + 1544 = 5000.
Watch out. Subtract the known number from the total to find the gap.
Method. Use the inverse operation to find the missing number.
- Add the number that was taken away. Adding undoes the take away.2000 + 2378 = 4378
- Check the subtraction. Taking away the known number should give the answer.4378 - 2378 = 2000
- Write the missing number. It fills the gap.4378
Check. Check: 4378 - 2378 = 2000.
Watch out. Adding undoes subtracting.
Watch out
Watch out. The missing number in 3456 + ___ = 5000 is 1544, not 8456. Find the gap by subtracting.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Is your answer close to the estimate? Does the check work?”
Exercise 3E Practice: estimating, checking and missing numbers
Non-calculatorMethod. Use the inverse operation to find the missing number.
- Add the number that was taken away. Adding undoes the take away.6139 + 1974 = 8113
- Write the missing number. Check it: taking away gives the answer.8113
Check. Check: 8113 - 1974 = 6139.
Watch out. Addition and subtraction undo each other. Use the operation that undoes the one in the question.
Method. Use the inverse operation to find the missing number.
- Add the number that was taken away. Adding undoes the take away.4327 + 4874 = 9201
- Write the missing number. Check it: taking away gives the answer.9201
Check. Check: 9201 - 4874 = 4327.
Watch out. Addition and subtraction undo each other. Use the operation that undoes the one in the question.
Method. Round each number, then add the rounded numbers. This gives an estimate close to the answer.
- Round 1698 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.1698 rounds to 2000
- Round 5815 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.5815 rounds to 6000
- Add the rounded numbers. This gives the estimate.2000 + 6000 = 8000
- Write the estimate. The exact total is close to this.8000
Check. Check: the exact answer 7513 is close to 8000.
Watch out. An estimate tells you the answer should be about this size. Check the exact answer is close.
Method. Subtract one number from the total. If the check is right, you get the other number.
- Use the inverse. Subtracting the second number should give back the first.9274 - 3776
- Work out the difference. If the sum is right, this matches the first number.9274 - 3776 = 5498
- Write the check. The check is correct because it gives the first number.9274 - 3776 = 5498
Check. Check: 5498 + 3776 = 9274, so the subtraction works both ways.
Watch out. A subtraction can check an addition. Use the inverse operation to check your answer.
Method. Use the inverse operation to find the missing number.
- Find what must be added. The missing number is the difference between the total and the known number.8775 - 4634 = 4141
- Write the missing number. Check it fills the gap.4141
Check. Check: 4634 + 4141 = 8775.
Watch out. Addition and subtraction undo each other. Use the operation that undoes the one in the question.
Method. Round each number, then add the rounded numbers. This gives an estimate close to the answer.
- Round 3728 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.3728 rounds to 4000
- Round 4385 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.4385 rounds to 4000
- Add the rounded numbers. This gives the estimate.4000 + 4000 = 8000
- Write the estimate. The exact total is close to this.8000
Check. Check: the exact answer 8113 is close to 8000.
Watch out. An estimate tells you the answer should be about this size. Check the exact answer is close.
Method. Round each number, then add the rounded numbers. This gives an estimate close to the answer.
- Round 8529 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.8529 rounds to 9000
- Round 1397 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.1397 rounds to 1000
- Add the rounded numbers. This gives the estimate.9000 + 1000 = 10000
- Write the estimate. The exact total is close to this.10000
Check. Check: the exact answer 9926 is close to 10000.
Watch out. An estimate tells you the answer should be about this size. Check the exact answer is close.
Method. Subtract one number from the total. If the check is right, you get the other number.
- Use the inverse. Subtracting the second number should give back the first.6065 - 2013
- Work out the difference. If the sum is right, this matches the first number.6065 - 2013 = 4052
- Write the check. The check is correct because it gives the first number.6065 - 2013 = 4052
Check. Check: 4052 + 2013 = 6065, so the subtraction works both ways.
Watch out. A subtraction can check an addition. Use the inverse operation to check your answer.
Method. Use the inverse operation to find the missing number.
- Find the missing number. Subtract the known number from the total.8025 - 2161 = 5864
- Write the missing number. Check it fills the gap.5864
Check. Check: 5864 + 2161 = 8025.
Watch out. Addition and subtraction undo each other. Use the operation that undoes the one in the question.
Method. Round each number, then add the rounded numbers. This gives an estimate close to the answer.
- Round 7716 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.7716 rounds to 8000
- Round 1250 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.1250 rounds to 1000
- Add the rounded numbers. This gives the estimate.8000 + 1000 = 9000
- Write the estimate. The exact total is close to this.9000
Check. Check: the exact answer 8966 is close to 9000.
Watch out. An estimate tells you the answer should be about this size. Check the exact answer is close.
Method. Round each number, then add the rounded numbers. This gives an estimate close to the answer.
- Round 7520 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.7520 rounds to 8000
- Round 1861 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.1861 rounds to 2000
- Add the rounded numbers. This gives the estimate.8000 + 2000 = 10000
- Write the estimate. The exact total is close to this.10000
Check. Check: the exact answer 9381 is close to 10000.
Watch out. An estimate tells you the answer should be about this size. Check the exact answer is close.
Method. Use the inverse operation to find the missing number.
- Add the number that was taken away. Adding undoes the take away.2214 + 6531 = 8745
- Write the missing number. Check it: taking away gives the answer.8745
Check. Check: 8745 - 6531 = 2214.
Watch out. Addition and subtraction undo each other. Use the operation that undoes the one in the question.
Method. Round each number, then add the rounded numbers. This gives an estimate close to the answer.
- Round 6919 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.6919 rounds to 7000
- Round 1219 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.1219 rounds to 1000
- Add the rounded numbers. This gives the estimate.7000 + 1000 = 8000
- Write the estimate. The exact total is close to this.8000
Check. Check: the exact answer 8138 is close to 8000.
Watch out. An estimate tells you the answer should be about this size. Check the exact answer is close.
Method. Round each number, then add the rounded numbers. This gives an estimate close to the answer.
- Round 8848 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.8848 rounds to 9000
- Round 1029 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.1029 rounds to 1000
- Add the rounded numbers. This gives the estimate.9000 + 1000 = 10000
- Write the estimate. The exact total is close to this.10000
Check. Check: the exact answer 9877 is close to 10000.
Watch out. An estimate tells you the answer should be about this size. Check the exact answer is close.
Method. Round each number, then add the rounded numbers. This gives an estimate close to the answer.
- Round 2814 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.2814 rounds to 3000
- Round 2870 to the nearest 1000. Look at the hundreds, tens and ones.2870 rounds to 3000
- Add the rounded numbers. This gives the estimate.3000 + 3000 = 6000
- Write the estimate. The exact total is close to this.6000
Check. Check: the exact answer 5684 is close to 6000.
Watch out. An estimate tells you the answer should be about this size. Check the exact answer is close.
Method. Use the inverse operation to find the missing number.
- Find the missing number. Subtract the known number from the total.9615 - 3915 = 5700
- Write the missing number. Check it fills the gap.5700
Check. Check: 5700 + 3915 = 9615.
Watch out. Addition and subtraction undo each other. Use the operation that undoes the one in the question.
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Mental addition and subtraction | Change only the column that matches the number; check other digits |
| Column addition | Add from the ones; carry 1 when a column is 10 or more |
| Column subtraction | Subtract from the ones; exchange 1 from the left when the top digit is too small |
| Subtraction across zeros | Go left to the first non-zero column; each zero passed becomes 9 |
| Estimate and check | Round to the nearest 1000 to estimate; use the inverse to check |
Can you…?
- I can add and subtract a ten, a hundred or a thousand in my head
- I can add two four-digit numbers in columns, carrying across columns
- I can subtract two four-digit numbers in columns, exchanging where needed
- I can subtract across a zero in the middle of a number
- I can estimate, check with the inverse, and find a missing number
Key terms
- carry
- move a ten to the next column on the left when adding
- exchange
- break 1 ten into 10 ones (or 1 hundred into 10 tens) when subtracting
- estimate
- a sensible guess of the answer, found by rounding
- inverse
- the operation that undoes another: addition undoes subtraction
Exercise 3Z Check-up
Non-calculatorMethod. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.5 + 2 = 7: Write 7. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.4 + 3 = 7: Write 7. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.3 + 8 = 11: Write 1 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.4 + 1 + 1 = 6: Write 6. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.6177
Check. Check: 6177 - 1832 = 4345.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Use the inverse operation to find the missing number.
- Find what must be added. The missing number is the difference between the total and the known number.9149 - 6084 = 3065
- Write the missing number. Check it fills the gap.3065
Check. Check: 6084 + 3065 = 9149.
Watch out. Addition and subtraction undo each other. Use the operation that undoes the one in the question.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.5 - 0 = 5
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 9 to 8; tens: 3 to 13
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.13 - 6 = 7
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 8 = 0
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 5 = 4
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.4075
Check. Check: 4075 + 5860 = 9935.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Use the inverse operation to find the missing number.
- Find what must be added. The missing number is the difference between the total and the known number.8598 - 7526 = 1072
- Write the missing number. Check it fills the gap.1072
Check. Check: 7526 + 1072 = 8598.
Watch out. Addition and subtraction undo each other. Use the operation that undoes the one in the question.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.5 - 2 = 3
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 4 to 3; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 1 to 11
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.11 - 9 = 2
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 1 = 8
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.3 - 1 = 2
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.2823
Check. Check: 2823 + 1192 = 4015.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.9 + 3 = 12: Write 2 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 5 + 1 = 14: Write 4 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 6 + 1 = 15: Write 5 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 2 + 1 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.9542
Check. Check: 9542 - 2653 = 6889.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.7 + 6 = 13: Write 3 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.7 + 2 + 1 = 10: Write 0 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 6 + 1 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 1 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.9903
Check. Check: 9903 - 1626 = 8277.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 9 = 0
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 3 to 2; tens: 1 to 11
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.11 - 8 = 3
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 7 to 6; hundreds: 2 to 12
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.12 - 4 = 8
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.6 - 4 = 2
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.2830
Check. Check: 2830 + 4489 = 7319.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.3 + 2 = 5: Write 5. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.7 + 4 = 11: Write 1 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.0 + 3 + 1 = 4: Write 4. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.1 + 3 = 4: Write 4. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.4415
Check. Check: 4415 - 3342 = 1073.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the hundred digit in 9780. Only the hundred column changes, because 100 is 1 hundreds.9780 has 7 hundreds
- Take away 1 hundreds. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.7 - 1 = 6
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.9680
Check. Check: 9680 + 100 = 9780.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Total 19 marks. Allow about 19 minutes.
Exercise 3X Practice test questions
Non-calculatorMethod. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 5 to 4; ones: 0 to 10
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 6 = 4
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 7 to 6; tens: 4 to 14
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.14 - 6 = 8
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.6 - 4 = 2
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 1 = 8
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.8284
Check. Check: 8284 + 1466 = 9750.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.7 + 6 = 13: Write 3 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 0 + 1 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.1 + 0 = 1: Write 1. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.7 + 2 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.9193
Check. Check: 9193 - 2006 = 7187.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 0 = 8: Write 8. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.8 + 4 = 12: Write 2 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.7 + 1 + 1 = 9: Write 9. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 2 = 8: Write 8. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.8928
Check. Check: 8928 - 2140 = 6788.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.7 + 9 = 16: Write 6 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.4 + 6 + 1 = 11: Write 1 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 5 + 1 = 8: Write 8. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.6 + 2 = 8: Write 8. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.8816
Check. Check: 8816 - 2569 = 6247.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Use the inverse operation to find the missing number.
- Find what must be added. The missing number is the difference between the total and the known number.9783 - 4835 = 4948
- Write the missing number. Check it fills the gap.4948
Check. Check: 4835 + 4948 = 9783.
Watch out. Addition and subtraction undo each other. Use the operation that undoes the one in the question.
Method. Change only the column that matches the number you add or take away.
- Find the thousand digit in 8087. Only the thousand column changes, because 1000 is 1 thousands.8087 has 8 thousands
- Add 1 thousands. Change that digit only. The other digits stay the same.8 + 1 = 9
- Write the answer. Check that the other digits are the same.9087
Check. Check: 9087 - 1000 = 8087.
Watch out. Adding or taking away a friendly number changes only one column, when no carry or exchange is needed.
Method. Use the inverse operation to find the missing number.
- Add the number that was taken away. Adding undoes the take away.7934 + 1868 = 9802
- Write the missing number. Check it: taking away gives the answer.9802
Check. Check: 9802 - 1868 = 7934.
Watch out. Addition and subtraction undo each other. Use the operation that undoes the one in the question.
Method. Add column by column, starting with the ones. Carry any ten to the next column on the left.
- Add the ones column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.4 + 3 = 7: Write 7. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the tens column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.2 + 9 = 11: Write 1 and carry 1 to the next column.
- Add the hundreds column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.7 + 0 + 1 = 8: Write 8. There is nothing to carry.
- Add the thousands column. Add the digits, and the carried 1 if there is one.5 + 3 = 8: Write 8. There is nothing to carry.
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.8817
Check. Check: 8817 - 3093 = 5724.
Watch out. Do not forget the carried 1 in the next column. Write the carried 1 small above the column.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.6 - 2 = 4
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds are 0, so exchange from further left: exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 7 to 6; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Exchange in the hundreds column. The tens digit is too small, so exchange 1 hundred for 10 tens.hundreds: 10 to 9; tens: 2 to 12
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.12 - 5 = 7
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.9 - 0 = 9
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.6 - 3 = 3
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.3974
Check. Check: 3974 + 3052 = 7026.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.
Method. Subtract column by column from the ones. When the top digit is too small, exchange from the column on the left.
- Exchange in the tens column. The ones digit is too small, so exchange 1 ten for 10 ones.tens: 9 to 8; ones: 6 to 16
- Subtract the ones column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.16 - 7 = 9
- Subtract the tens column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.8 - 8 = 0
- Exchange in the thousands column. The hundreds digit is too small, so exchange 1 thousand for 10 hundreds.thousands: 3 to 2; hundreds: 0 to 10
- Subtract the hundreds column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.10 - 3 = 7
- Subtract the thousands column. Take the bottom digit from the top digit.2 - 1 = 1
- Write the answer. Read the digits from the top: thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.1709
Check. Check: 1709 + 1387 = 3096.
Watch out. A zero cannot give a ten. Go left to the first column that is not zero, and exchange from there.