Adding four-digit numbers uses the column method: line up the digits, start with the ones and carry whenever a column makes ten or more.
What your child will learn
- Line up thousands, hundreds, tens and ones in columns
- Add four-digit numbers, carrying into the next column
- Find a missing number in an addition
- Estimate first to check that an answer is sensible
Start with the ones
Always add from the right. In 2,658 + 1,375, the ones make 13: write 3 and carry 1 ten. The tens then make 5 + 7 + 1 = 13, so carry again. Working left to right would mean going back to fix earlier digits.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. What is 2622 + 226?
Show answer
Answer: 2848. Line the numbers up in columns and add the ones, tens, hundreds and thousands: 2622 + 226 = 2848.
2. What is 2402 + 332?
- 2634
- 2734
- 2834
- 2736
Show answer
Answer: 2734. Line the numbers up in columns and add the ones, tens, hundreds and thousands: 2402 + 332 = 2734.
3. What is 5012 + 631?
- 5641
- 5633
- 5643
- 5642
Show answer
Answer: 5643. Line the numbers up in columns and add the ones, tens, hundreds and thousands: 5012 + 631 = 5643.
Tips for grown-ups
- Use squared paper so each digit sits in its own column.
- Estimate first by rounding: 2,658 + 1,375 is about 2,700 + 1,400 = 4,100.