Mathematics Addition & Subtractionusually ages 7–8

Adding and subtracting (age 7+)

Add and subtract numbers with up to three digits using formal written methods of columnar addition and subtraction

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Set out a columnar addition correctly with digits aligned by place value
Carry out columnar subtraction with exchange (borrowing) when needed
Check the answer using the inverse operation or estimation

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Try this together

Can your child set out a sum like '347 + 265' or '512 − 278' in columns and work through it step by step, carrying or borrowing where needed?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Addition and subtraction within 1000ages 7–8Formal columnar methods build on conceptual understanding of composing/decomposing

Fluent adding and subtracting within 100ages 7–8Columnar methods require fluent within-100 addition/subtraction

Adding and subtracting (age 7+)this skill · ages 7–8

Unlocks

Adding and subtracting (age 8+)ages 8–9Four-digit columnar methods extend three-digit columnar methods

Fluent adding and subtracting within 1000ages 8–9Fluency requires prior experience with columnar methods for three digits

Choosing the right strategyages 7–8Choosing mental vs written method exercises strategic tool selection

Justifying mathematical reasoningages 7–8Explaining columnar methods exercises identifying and justifying steps

Missing number problems (age 7+)ages 7–8Formal written methods support solving more complex problems

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

Show candidate curriculum codes · 3 ACARA · 2 NSW · 3 VIC

Australian Curriculum v9 candidate

AC9M2N04high confidenceYear 2 · Number

add and subtract one- and two-digit numbers, representing problems using number sentences and solve using part-part-whole reasoning and a variety of calculation strategies

AC9M4N06medium confidenceYear 4 · Number

develop efficient strategies and use appropriate digital tools for solving problems involving addition and subtraction, and multiplication and division where there is no remainder

AC9M3N03medium confidenceYear 3 · Number

add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value to partition, rearrange and regroup numbers to assist in calculations without a calculator

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MA2-AR-01high confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 2

MA2-AR-02low confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 2

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2M2N04medium confidenceMathematics · Level 2 · Number strand

VC2M3A01medium confidenceMathematics · Level 3 · Algebra strand

VC2M4A01medium confidenceMathematics · Level 4 · Algebra strand

These are candidate alignments generated by semantic matching — machine-suggested and unreviewed (v0.1), not official or verified mappings. For official curriculum content see australiancurriculum.edu.au, curriculum.nsw.edu.au and f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Don’t rely on them for registration or compliance purposes.

Nearby on the map

Adding numbersages 7–8 Addition and subtraction strategies (age 7+)ages 7–8 Addition and subtraction within 1000ages 7–8 Estimating by roundingages 7–9

All Addition & Subtraction skills →