Maths lesson · Addition and subtraction
How to add bigger numbers in columns
Line the numbers up by place, then add the ones, then the tens, then the hundreds.
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The lesson's worked example and words follow your child's year. Adding bigger numbers is taught in these years.
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You chose Australia · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
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You chose England · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
You chose England · Year 3 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 3
You chose New Zealand · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
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The lesson's worked example and words follow your child's year. Adding bigger numbers is taught in these years.
Your choice is kept in this browser only.
You chose Australia · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
You chose Australia · Year 3 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 3
You chose England · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
You chose England · Year 3 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 3
You chose New Zealand · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
You chose New Zealand · Year 4 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 4
Choose your curriculum and year
The lesson's worked example and words follow your child's year. Adding bigger numbers is taught in these years.
Your choice is kept in this browser only.
You chose Australia · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
You chose Australia · Year 3 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 3
You chose United States · Grade 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Grade 2
You chose England · Year 3 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 3
You chose New Zealand · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
You chose New Zealand · Year 4 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 4
Choose your curriculum and year
The lesson's worked example and words follow your child's year. Adding bigger numbers is taught in these years.
Your choice is kept in this browser only.
You chose Australia · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
You chose Australia · Year 3 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 3
You chose United States · Grade 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Grade 2
You chose England · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
You chose New Zealand · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
You chose New Zealand · Year 4 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 4
Choose your curriculum and year
The lesson's worked example and words follow your child's year. Adding bigger numbers is taught in these years.
Your choice is kept in this browser only.
You chose Australia · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
You chose Australia · Year 3 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 3
You chose United States · Grade 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Grade 2
You chose England · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
You chose England · Year 3 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 3
You chose New Zealand · Year 4 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 4
Choose your curriculum and year
The lesson's worked example and words follow your child's year. Adding bigger numbers is taught in these years.
Your choice is kept in this browser only.
You chose Australia · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
You chose Australia · Year 3 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 3
You chose United States · Grade 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Grade 2
You chose England · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
You chose England · Year 3 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 3
You chose New Zealand · Year 2 before. See adding bigger numbers in Year 2
Choose your curriculum and year
The lesson's worked example and words follow your child's year. Adding bigger numbers is taught in these years.
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Practise on paper. Practice sheets for adding bigger numbers are on the way, at every level.
See what’s comingHow to work it out
45 + 23
- Step 1Set out 45 + 23 in columns: ones under ones, tens under tens.
- Step 2Add the ones: 5 + 3 = 8.
- Step 38 is less than ten. Write 8 in the ones column.
- Step 4Add the tens: 4 + 2 = 6.
- Step 56 is less than ten. Write 6 in the tens column.
- Step 645 + 23 = 68.
3a number in the sum1moves (regrouped, carried, a jump)8the answer
How to work it out
342 + 251
- Step 1Set out 342 + 251 in columns: ones under ones, tens under tens.
- Step 2Add the ones: 2 + 1 = 3.
- Step 33 is less than ten. Write 3 in the ones column.
- Step 4Add the tens: 4 + 5 = 9.
- Step 59 is less than ten. Write 9 in the tens column.
- Step 6Add the hundreds: 3 + 2 = 5.
- Step 75 is less than ten. Write 5 in the hundreds column.
- Step 8342 + 251 = 593.
3a number in the sum1moves (regrouped, carried, a jump)8the answer
About this lesson
Column addition keeps every digit in its place: ones under ones, tens under tens. Your child adds one column at a time, starting with the ones on the right. When no column makes ten or more, each column’s total is written straight underneath, so this is the place to start before adding with regrouping.
What your child learns
- Add two two-digit numbers where no column makes ten or more.
Australia · Year 2: Australian Curriculum v9 · AC9M2N04
Australia · Year 3: Australian Curriculum v9 · AC9M3N03
United States · Grade 2: Common Core · 2.NBT.B.5 · 2.NBT.B.7
England · Year 2: National Curriculum
England · Year 3: National Curriculum
New Zealand · Year 2: New Zealand Curriculum
New Zealand · Year 4: New Zealand Curriculum
About this lesson
Column addition keeps every digit in its place: ones under ones, tens under tens. Your child adds one column at a time, starting with the ones on the right. When no column makes ten or more, each column’s total is written straight underneath, so this is the place to start before adding with regrouping.
What your child learns
- Add two three-digit numbers in columns with no regrouping.
Australia · Year 2: Australian Curriculum v9 · AC9M2N04
Australia · Year 3: Australian Curriculum v9 · AC9M3N03
United States · Grade 2: Common Core · 2.NBT.B.5 · 2.NBT.B.7
England · Year 2: National Curriculum
England · Year 3: National Curriculum
New Zealand · Year 2: New Zealand Curriculum
New Zealand · Year 4: New Zealand Curriculum
Practise adding bigger numbers
Printable practice for this lesson is on its way, in packs and for members.
- Adding bigger numbers practice packEvery level, new numbers any time, with answer keys.Coming soon