Use place value to correctly lay out column addition

I can use place value to lay out column addition correctly.

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Use place value to correctly lay out column addition

I can use place value to lay out column addition correctly.

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Key learning points

The addends are written with the same value digits in the same column
The sum is recorded underneath with the same value digits in the same column
Zero is used to show that there are no 100s, 10s or 1s

Keywords

Addend - An addend is a number added to another.
Column addition - Column addition is a way of adding numbers by writing a number below another.

Common misconception

Pupils may forget to use zero to show that there are no 10s or 1s (e.g. in 60), or may use zero to show that there are no 100s when it is not needed (e.g. they may write 068).

Explain to pupils that zero is needed to show that there are no 10s or 1s in a 3-digit number although it isn't needed to show that there are no 100s. We don't write 68 as 068, so we do not do this with column addition either.

In this session, pupils become familiar with setting out column addition with 2- and 3-digit numbers. Access to base ten blocks will be helpful throughout the lesson.

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).