Column addition · Grade 4
In Grade 4 you learn: 4-digit numbers in columns and estimating to check an answer.
Column addition is a written method for adding numbers too big to add in your head. Line the numbers up by place value, add one column at a time from the ones, and carry 1 into the next column when a column makes 10 or more.
Key facts
- Line up the digits by place value: ones under ones, tens under tens (and decimal points under each other).
- Always start with the ones column, on the right.
- Adding: if a column makes 10 or more, write the ones digit and carry 1 into the next column.
- Check: answer − one of the numbers = the other number.
- Estimate first by rounding each number; if your answer is far from the estimate, check your working.
Worked examples
Example 1
245 + 138
Answer: 383
Example 2
526 + 281
Answer: 807
Example 3
458 + 367
Answer: 825
Example 4
A stadium has 3,458 seats in the north stand and 2,867 in the south stand. How many seats is that altogether?
Answer: 6,325