Column addition and subtraction
Add and subtract numbers up to 5 digits, column by column. Read one step, play with it, then tap “I understand this”.
Line the numbers up
Ones under ones, tens under tens, hundreds under hundreds and thousands under thousands. Line the numbers up on the right.
If you line up 2 748 + 385 on the left, you add 3 hundreds to 7 tens. Always line up on the right, at the ones.
Always start with the ones, on the right, and work to the left.
Adding with carrying
If a column adds up to 10 or more, write only the ones digit and carry the 1 (ten) to the next column.
Show me how: adding
Pick a sum and tap “Next step”.
7 ones + 5 ones = 12 ones. A column can hold only one digit, so we bundle 10 of the ones into 1 ten and move it to the tens. The 2 ones stay behind. That is also why we start on the right: what overflows moves to the left.
Subtracting with borrowing
If the top digit is smaller than the bottom one, borrow 1 from the column on the left. That 1 is worth 10 in your column.
Show me how: subtracting
Pick a sum. The last one borrows across a 0: watch closely!
Borrowing across a 0: in 4 002 − 1 357 the tens and hundreds have nothing to lend. So borrow from the 4: it becomes 3, the 0s become 9, and the ones become 12.
Borrowing does not change the number at all. 52 is 5 tens and 2 ones, but also 4 tens and 12 ones: both are 52. It is like swapping a R10 note for ten R1 coins. You still have the same money, just in smaller pieces.
Your turn
The board asks one column at a time. When you must borrow, tap the digit you borrow from.
Column practice
Choose a level. You get a new sum every time.
Sums finished: 0
Check your answer
Addition and subtraction are opposites. If you subtracted, add the answer and the bottom number: you must get the top number.
5 372 − 2 148 = 3 224 → 3 224 + 2 148 = 5 372 ✓
Estimate first too: 5 372 − 2 148 is about 5 000 − 2 000 = 3 000. Is your answer close to 3 000? Then you are on the right track.
The biggest subtraction mistake: 2 − 8 becomes 8 − 2 = 6. You may not swap the digits. Borrow instead!
Check yourself
- Line up on the right: ones under ones. Start with the ones.
- 10 or more in a column? Write the ones and carry 1 ten.
- Top smaller than bottom? Borrow 1 from the left: it is 10 in your column.
- Check subtraction with addition: answer + bottom number = top number.
Write these points in your maths book. Read them again the night before the test.
Quick questions
Tap an answer. If you get one wrong, read why and go back to that step. You get new questions every time.
You ticked all 5 steps! Now you are ready for the quiz.- Practice sheet for this classQuestions + memo · 3 A4 pagesPractice sheet
- Numbers16 pages · PDFPaperMemo
Ready for more? The Grade 5 subtraction quiz gives you new sums every time.
- One step a day is enough. Ten calm minutes work better than an hour the night before the test.
- Let your child draw the columns in pencil or use squared paper: when the digits stand neatly under each other, half the mistakes disappear.
- Ask your child to tell you the rule in their own words. If they can explain it, they understand it.
- The ticks (“I understand this”) are saved on this device only. We never ask for names or emails.
Follows CAPS for Grade 5 Maths. Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.