1.3.1

Addition

Test yourself

Column Method Addition

The column method can help you add and subtract large numbers or numbers with decimals.

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What is 6437.5 + 3256.1?

  • This is hard to do in your head.
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1) Add right hand column

  • Make sure the decimal points of both numbers are lined up so you don't confuse place values.
  • Start adding from the the right hand side.
  • If the sum of a column is less than 10 then write the number under the column.
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2) Add 2nd column

  • Start adding from the RHS and move step by step to the left.
  • If the sum of a column is more than 10 then carry the number in the 'tens' into the next column (in the sum above we carry the 1).
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3) Add 3rd column

  • Because we have carried the 1 over we must include it now in the sum of this column.
  • 3 + 5 + 1 = 9
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4) Add 4th column

  • Keep adding columns moving to the left until you reach the end.
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5) Add left hand column

  • 6437.5 + 3256.1 = 9693.6

Jump to other topics

1Number

1.1Place Value

1.2Factors & Multiples

1.3Operations

1.4Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

1.5Growth & Decay

1.6Measurements & Units

1.7Accuracy

2Algebra

3Ratio, Proportion & Rates of Change

4Geometry & Measures

5Probability

6Statistics

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