Written method for adding 4-digit numbers

Addition of two 4-digit numbers is usually done on paper,using the following standard method:

The method is to add the units first, put the units in the answer, and ‘carry’ the ten into the tens column. Then add the tens and continue in the same way into the hundreds and finally the thousands. So, looking at the addition of 6678 + 2564,

the steps are:

Step 1: add the units

8 + 4 = 12

Put the 2 in the units below the question.
Then place the one ten below the answer in the tens column.
Step 2: add the tens
7 (tens) + 6 (tens) + 1 (ten) = 14 (tens)
Place the 4 (tens) in the tens column and the 1(hundred) in the hundreds column below the answer.

Step 3: add the hundreds
6 (hundreds) + 5 (hundreds) + 1 (hundred) = 12 (hundreds)
Place the 2 (hundreds) in the hundreds column and the 1(thousand) in the thousands column below the answer.

Note: there may not always be tens, hundreds or thousands to carry.

Step 4: add the thousands
6 (thousands) + 2 (thousands) + 1 (thousand) = 9 (thousands)
Place the 9 (thousands) in the thousands column.

More clarification is available on the worksheet, together with a set of additions laid out in the correct format.

Standard addition of 4 digit numbers (2)

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