Learning Map

Adding and subtracting (age 8+)

Add and subtract numbers with up to four 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.

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Try this together

Can your child line up a sum like '3,842 + 1,765' or '4,301 − 2,658' in columns and work through it correctly — carrying and borrowing across multiple columns?

Where this sits on the map

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

Builds on
Adding and subtracting (age 7+)ages 7–8Four-digit columnar methods extend three-digit columnar methods
Place value of each digitages 8–9Four-digit operations require four-digit place-value understanding
Adding and subtracting (age 8+)this skill · ages 8–9
Unlocks
Two-step addition and subtraction problemsages 8–9Solving four-digit problems requires columnar methods
Fluent addition and subtraction (age 9+)ages 9–10Columnar add/sub with 4 digits is prerequisite to >4 digits

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

AC9M3A02medium confidenceYear 3 · Algebra

extend and apply knowledge of addition and subtraction facts to 20 to develop efficient mental strategies for computation with larger numbers without a calculator

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MA2-AR-01high confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 2
MA3-AR-01medium confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 3

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2M2N04medium confidenceMathematics · Level 2 · Number strand
VC2M3A02medium 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

All Addition & Subtraction skills →