Tutorpip← About this lessonOpen the sheet →Download PDF
Grade 4 · Maths · Lessons
Column adding and taking away
📋column➕add➖take away🔟carry
Columns.
The big ideaOnes first, then each place. Carry a ten up, or break one down.

How it works

Line the numbers up. Start with the ones, then each place.

Carry a ten up when adding. Break a ten down when you need more to take away.

Check by adding back.

Ones firstBreak a ten ifneededThen each placeCheck by adding
Take away in a column.

Example 1: No breaking

  1. 5167 − 3352 = ?
  2. Start with the ones.
  3. Then the tens, hundreds and thousands.
  4. So the answer is 1815.

Example 2: A big take-away

  1. 95026 − 16135 = ?
  2. Break a ten or a hundred when a digit is too small.
  3. Work place by place.
  4. So the answer is 78891.

Example 3: A very big one

  1. ? = 312971 − 64762
  2. Line up the places carefully.
  3. Break from the next place to the left.
  4. So the answer is 248209.

Words to know

column
Digits lined up in a place.
regroup
To trade between places.

Watch out

Try it

  1. ? = 60524 − 53985
  2. 281588 + 359331 = ?
  3. 80435 − 32871 = ?
Answers: 1. 6539 · 2. 640919 · 3. 47564
For grown-upsCheck a big take-away by adding back with your child.
Open these notes on screenScan the code, or go to tutorpip.com.