1.2.1

Written Methods for Adding Large Numbers

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Adding Numbers with More than 4 Digits

When adding larger numbers, you use written methods to show your workings. You should use the column method for adding.

Column method

Column method

  • Line up the place value in the two numbers you are trying to add.
    • I'm trying to do 2,376 + 4,452 here.
Start at the 'ones'

Start at the 'ones'

  • Start by adding from the 'ones' column.
    • The 'ones' column has the calculation 6 + 2 = 8.
Next, you add the 'tens'

Next, you add the 'tens'

  • Next, you move to the 'tens' column.
    • The 'tens' column has the calculation 7 + 5 = 12.
  • You cannot put in 12 'tens' in your answer.
    • You need to place the 2 in the answer for the 'tens' and carry 10 (from the 12) to the 'hundreds' column.
Next, you add the 'hundreds'

Next, you add the 'hundreds'

  • Next, you move to the 'hundreds' column.
    • The 'hundreds' column has the calculation 3 + 4 + 1 = 8.
    • Don't forget to add the 1 you carried from the 'tens' column.
Finally, you add the 'thousands'

Finally, you add the 'thousands'

  • Finally, you move to the 'thousands' column.
    • The 'thousands' column has the calculation 2 + 4 = 6.
Jump to other topics
1

Year 5 - Number

1.1

Number & Place Value

1.1.1The Value of Digits to Millions1.1.2Smallest & Biggest Numbers to Millions1.1.3Ordering Numbers to Millions1.1.4Counting in Powers of 101.1.5Counting in Negative Numbers1.1.6Rounding Numbers up to 1,000,0001.1.7Reading Roman Numerals
1.2

Addition & Subtraction

1.2.1Written Methods for Adding Large Numbers1.2.2Written Methods for Subtracting Large Numbers1.2.3Mental Addition & Subtraction1.2.4Rounding to Check Your Answer
1.3

Multiplication & Division

1.3.1Multiples1.3.2Factors1.3.3Prime Numbers1.3.4Prime Factors1.3.5Composite Numbers1.3.6Factor Trees1.3.7Multiplication by a 1 Digit Number1.3.8Long Multiplication Using Column Method1.3.9Times Tables1.3.10Division1.3.11Multiplying & Dividing by 10, 100 & 1,0001.3.12Square & Cube Numbers
1.4

Fractions & Decimals

1.4.1Compare & Order Fractions1.4.2Identifying Equivalent Fractions1.4.3Add & Subtract Fractions1.4.4Mixed Numbers & Improper Fractions1.4.5Multiplying Fractions by Whole Numbers1.4.6Converting Between Decimals & Fractions1.4.7Rounding Decimals1.4.8Ordering Decimals
2

Year 5 - Measurement

2.1

Measures

2.1.1Metric Measurements2.1.2Imperial Measurements
2.2

Perimeter & Area

2.2.1Perimeter2.2.2Area
2.3

Time

2.3.1Units of Time
3

Year 5 - Geometry

3.1

Properties of 3D Shapes

3.1.1Types of 3D Shapes3.1.2Faces, Edges & Vertices
3.2

Properties of 2D Shapes

3.2.1Polygons
3.3

Angles

3.3.1Angles in Degrees3.3.2Types of Angle3.3.3Finding Missing Angles
3.4

Position & Direction

3.4.1Reflection & Translation
4

Year 5 - Statistics

4.1

Graphs

4.1.1Line Graphs4.1.2Tables4.1.3Timetables
5

Year 6 - Number

5.1

Number & Place Value

5.1.1The Value of Digits to Ten Millions5.1.2Ordering Numbers to Millions5.1.3Rounding5.1.4Negative Numbers
5.2

Multiplication & Division

5.2.1Multiplication by a 2 Digit Number5.2.2Division5.2.3Multiples5.2.4Factors5.2.5Primes
5.3

Mental Maths

5.3.1Multiplying & Dividing by 10, 100 & 1,0005.3.2Addition & Subtraction5.3.3Adding & Subtracting 10, 100 & 1,0005.3.4Multiplication & Division
5.4

Order of Operations

5.4.1BIDMAS
5.5

Problem Solving

5.5.1Addition & Subtraction Multi-step Problems5.5.2Problem Solving with Proportion
5.6

Fractions & Decimals

5.6.1Simplifying Fractions Using Equivalents5.6.2Ordering Different Types of Fraction5.6.3Adding & Subtracting Fractions5.6.4Adding & Subtracting Mixed Numbers5.6.5Multiplying Fractions5.6.6Dividing Fractions by Whole Numbers5.6.7Converting Between Decimals & Fractions5.6.8Dividing Decimals
6

Year 6 - Ratio & Proportion

6.1

Ratio

6.1.1Using Ratios6.1.2Simplifying Ratios
6.2

Percentages

6.2.1Calculating Percentages
6.3

Scale

6.3.1Scale of 2D Shapes
7

Year 6 - Algebra

7.1

Sequences

7.1.1Describing Sequences7.1.2Finding Gaps in Sequences
7.2

Missing Number Problems

7.2.1Missing Number Problems
7.3

Equations

7.3.1Balancing Equations7.3.2Combining Two Variables
8

Year 6 - Measurement

8.1

Problem Solving

8.1.1Problem Solving with Measures
8.2

Unit Conversion

8.2.1Conversion Between Miles & Kilometres
8.3

Perimeter, Area & Volume

8.3.1Area8.3.2Volume8.3.3Nets8.3.4Faces, Edges & Vertices
8.4

Angles

8.4.1Types of Angle8.4.2Finding Missing Angles8.4.3Finding Missing Angles in Triangles8.4.4Vertically Opposite Angles
8.5

Circles

8.5.1Parts of a Circle
8.6

Coordinate Grids

8.6.1Positions on Coordinate Grids8.6.2Reflection & Translation
9

Year 6 - Statistics

9.1

Displaying Data

9.1.1Pie Charts9.1.2Line Graphs
9.2

Averages

9.2.1Mean

Practice questions on Written Methods for Adding Large Numbers

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What is the missing number in the 'hundreds' column of this addition?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What is the missing number in the 'thousands' column of this addition?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    What is the missing number in the 'hundreds' column of this addition?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What is the missing number in the 'thousands' column of this addition?Multiple choice
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Reading Roman Numerals

Written Methods for Subtracting Large Numbers