Adding and subtracting whole numbers - Whole numbers - OCR - GCSE Maths Revision - OCR - BBC Bitesize

Adding and subtracting whole numbers

Column addition

Check out the refreshed revision guide for GCSE Maths: Adding and subtracting whole numbers, with step-by-step slideshows, quizzes, practice exam questions, and more!

Numbers can be added together using the column method which involves writing one number underneath the other.

Example

What is \(343 + 315\)?

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Start from the units column: 3 + 5 = 8
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In the tens column: 40 + 10 = 50. 5 is written in the tens column as this is worth 50
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In the hundreds column: 300 + 300 = 600. 6 is written in the hundreds column as this is worth 600
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The finished sum

Example

What is \(343 + 329\)?

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Start from the units column: 3 + 9 = 12, place a 2 in the units column and carry 10 to the tens column by placing a 1
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In the tens column: 40 + 20 + 10 = 70
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In the hundreds column: 300 + 300 = 600
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The finished sum

Question

Using column addition, work out the value of \(427 + 363\).

Column subtraction

Numbers can also be subtracted using the column method.

Example

What is \(548 - 125\)?

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Start from the units column: 8 - 5 = 3
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In the tens column: 40 - 20 = 20. 2 is written in tens column as this is worth 20
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In the hundreds column: 500 - 100 = 400. 4 is written in the hundreds column as this is worth 400
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The finished subtraction

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Start from the units column: 3 - 7
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It is not possible to subtract 7 from 3 so exchange one ten from the tens column for ten units: 13 - 7 = 6
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In the tens column, one 10 has been exchanged so 40 becomes 30: 30 – 30 = 0
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In the hundreds column: 300 - 200 = 100. 1 is written in the hundreds column as this is worth 100
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The finished subtraction

Question

Using column subtraction, work out the value of \(427 - 363\).

Multiplying and dividing whole numbers

Ordering whole numbers

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