1.2.1

Mental Addition & Subtraction

Test yourself

Adding Numbers Mentally

We can add numbers from three-digit numbers mentally. This means we work it out in our head without writing anything down.

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Adding ones

  • To work out 463 + 5, look at the ones column:
    • 5 + 3 = 8
    • 463 + 5 = 468
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Adding ones

  • Sometimes, it will affect two columns:
  • To work out 463 + 8, look at the ones column:
    • 3 + 8 = 11
  • It is bigger than 10, so both the ones and the tens column will change:
    • 463 + 8 = 471
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Adding tens

  • The same rules apply for 10s, but this time we look at the tens column.
  • For example, 485 + 10 = 495.
    • Only the tens column has changed.
  • But 485 + 30 = 515.
    • Both the tens and hundred columns have changed.
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Adding hundreds

  • To mentally add 100s, we look at the hundreds column.
  • 284 + 400 = 684
    • Only the hundreds column has changed.
  • But 284 + 800 = 1084
    • Both the hundred and thousands columns have changed.

Subtracting Numbers Mentally

We can also subtract numbers from three-digit numbers mentally.

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Subtracting ones

  • Mentally subtracting is the same strategy but the inverse (opposite).
  • For example, 567 - 6 = 561
    • Only the ones column changes.
  • But 432 - 6 = 426
    • The tens and ones column has changed.
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Subtracting tens

  • For example, 485 - 70 = 415
    • Only the tens column changes.
  • But 954 - 60 = 894
    • The hundreds and tens column has changed.
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Subtracting hundreds

  • For example, 631 - 200 = 431
    • Only the hundreds column changes.

Jump to other topics

1Year 3 - Number

2Year 3 - Measurement

3Year 3 - Geometry

4Year 3 - Statistics

5Year 4 - Number

6Year 4 - Measurement

7Year 4 - Geometry

8Year 4 - Statistics

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