Skip to content

Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Year 3 - Maths

Add 3-digit numbers using column addition

Column addition

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will identify the addends and the sum in column addition. They will use their knowledge of place value to correctly lay out column addition.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to add 3-digit numbers using column addition.

Key Notes

  • When using column addition, start by adding numbers with the smallest place value first.
  • Use zero to show that there are no tens or ones in a 3-digit number.
  • Partition each number carefully into hundreds, tens and ones.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Addend: An addend is a number added to another.
  • Sum: The sum is the the total when numbers are added together.
  • Column addition: Column addition is a way of adding numbers by writing a number below another.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may not use zero to show that there are no tens or ones number in a 3-digit number. They may also use a zero to show that there are no hundreds when adding a 2-digit to a 3-digit number.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.

When using column addition, start by adding numbers with the smallest place value first. Use zero to show that there are no tens or ones in a 3-digit number.

2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Addend'

An addend is a number added to another. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.

3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.

Mistake: Pupils may not use zero to show that there are no tens or ones number in a 3-digit number. They may also use a zero to show that there are no hundreds when adding a 2-digit to a 3-digit number. Correction: Emphasise with pupils that they need to use a zero only when needed. The number 75 would not be written as 075, so should not be written like this in column addition.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 3 Maths guide library.