Introduction
Addition and subtraction are the fundamental skills that help students combine and
separate quantities. We learnt how to add and subtract from lessons 6: 2.01
Addition and 6: 2.03 Subtraction . Being confident with addition and subtraction
provides the tools necessary to solve real-world problems.
Ideas
Addition
Subtraction
Addition
The most basic operation is addition, which uses the
+
+ symbol. The expression
5+3
5+3 means "
3
3 more than
5
5", which is the same as the number
8
8. Think about it as moving from left to right along a number line:
Starting at
5
5 and taking
3
3 steps right lands on
8
8.
One strategy is to use regrouping, where we split each number up into convenient
pieces. We can then add the numbers together in an order that we find easiest.
Another strategy is to use the vertical algorithm, where we align our numbers using
place value. Let's look at an example.
Examples
Example 1
Find
271+95
271+95.
Worked Solution
Watch question walkthrough
Idea summary
We can add two or more numbers together in a single place value table. If any
column adds up to more than
10,
10, we need to carry the number of tens into the next column.
We can use regrouping to add large numbers, where we split each number up into
convenient pieces such as thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones.
Subtraction
If we want to separate quantities, we use subtraction. Subtraction uses the
−
− symbol and is the opposite of addition. The expression
5−3
5−3 means a number "
3
3 less than
5
5", which is the same as the number
2
2. Think about it as moving from right to left along a number line:
Starting at
5
5 and taking
3
3 steps left lands on
2.
2.
A subtraction equation is always related to an addition equation, like this:
13−7=6
13−7=6 is related to
6+7=13
6+7=13 is related to
13−6=7.
13−6=7.
We can perform subtraction using the vertical algorithm as well. Write the first
number above the second, and work from right to left, subtracting the bottom number
from the top number. If the bottom number is larger than the top number in any
column, add
10
10 to the top number and take
1
1 away from the top number in the next column.
Another strategy is to use regrouping, where we split each number up into
convenient pieces. We can then subtract the numbers from each other in an order
that we find easiest.
Examples
Example 2
Evaluate
2221−1391
2221−1391.
Worked Solution
Watch question walkthrough
Example 3
Evaluate
968−353
968−353.
Worked Solution
Watch question walkthrough
Idea summary
We can perform subtraction using a place value table. Write the first number above
the second, and work from right to left, subtracting the bottom number from the top
number.
We can use regrouping to subtract large numbers, where we split each number up
into convenient pieces such as thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones.
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