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Year 4 - Maths

Add up to 3 four-digit numbers using column addition

Column addition and subtraction with 4-digit numbers

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will consolidate column addition with regrouping and column subtraction with exchanging to solve problems. They will use known facts and strategies to accurately and efficiently calculate and check.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to add two or more 4-digit numbers using column addition involving regrouping.

Key Notes

  • We can use column addition to add 4-digit numbers.
  • When adding, we regroup 10 hundreds as 1 thousand.
  • Make sure that any regrouped thousands are added with the values in the thousands column.
  • Make sure that all regrouped values are added in the correct column.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Column addition: Column addition is a way of adding numbers by writing a number below another.
  • Regrouping: The process of unitising and exchanging between place values is known as regrouping. For example, 10 tens can be regrouped as one hundred and one hundred can be regrouped as 10 tens.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Incorrectly aligning 3-digit and 4-digit numbers resulting in an incorrect sum.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

We can use column addition to add 4-digit numbers. When adding, we regroup 10 hundreds as 1 thousand.

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

Column addition is a way of adding numbers by writing a number below another. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.

3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.

Mistake: Incorrectly aligning 3-digit and 4-digit numbers resulting in an incorrect sum. Correction: Practise partitioning 3 and 4-digit numbers into thousands, hundreds, tens and ones to support when placing in columns. This will also support in understanding the relationship between the columns when regrouping.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 4 Maths guide library.