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      Solving problems using column addition and subtraction

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can solve problems using column addition and subtraction

      Key learning points

      1. When solving problems, the column addition and column subtraction algorithms are sometimes the most efficient methods.
      2. If the numbers have different amounts of digits, ensure the digits are aligned in their appropriate place value columns.
      3. Identify when regrouping is needed when carrying out column addition and subtraction.

      Keywords

      • Regroup - The process of unitising and exchanging between place values is known as regrouping. For example, 10 tens can be regrouped for one hundred; one hundred can be regrouped for 10 tens.

      Common misconception

      Mis-align numbers when setting up algorithms if the numbers have different amount of digits. When finding 1 missing part out of 3 parts, children may perform two subtractions, which is inefficient.

      When setting up the algorithm, ensure digits in the same place value place are aligned. When finding 1 missing part of 3 parts, first we add the known parts then we subtract from the whole.

      Teacher tip

      Provide Base 10 equipment and place value charts to support children who are insecure.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Use column addition to calculate the sum of 4,352 and 2,217

      Correct Answer: 6,569

      Q2.
      Use column addition to calculate the total of 5,653 and 124

      Correct Answer: 5,777, 5777

      Q3.
      Use column subtraction to calculate how much more 8,976 is than 2,346

      Correct Answer: 6,630

      Q4.
      Use column subtraction to calculate the difference between 9,367 and 452

      Correct Answer: 8,915

      Q5.
      Lucas wins £3,469 in a game he is playing with Aisha. In his next turn, he has to give £527 to Aisha. How much money does he have left? £

      Correct Answer: 2,942

      Q6.
      Aisha wins £5,680 in the game that she is playing with Lucas. In her next turn, she wins another £719 How much money does she have now? £

      Correct Answer: 6,399

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Calculate the sum of 3,409,807 and 2,610,155 You may wish to use a column method.

      Correct Answer: 6,019,962, 6019962

      Q2.
      Calculate the difference between 5,682,743 and 1,225,130 You may wish to use a column method.

      Correct Answer: 4,457,613, 4457613

      Q3.
      Find the combined total of 1,246,982 and 391,011 You may wish to use a column method.

      Correct Answer: 1,637,993, 1637993

      Q4.
      Calculate how much more 3,629,980 is than 245,561

      Correct Answer: 3,384,419, 3384419

      Q5.
      Aisha wins 1,354,906 points in a game then wins another 64,002 points and finally wins another 305,690 points. How many points has she won altogether? points

      Correct Answer: 1,724,598, 1724598

      Q6.
      Lucas wins 2,308,570 points in his game. He then loses 150,625 points before losing another 1,350,000 points. How many points does he end the game with? points

      Correct Answer: 807,945, 807945

      To help you plan your 6 maths lesson on: Solving problems using column addition and subtraction, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...