Maths Blog

Two free revision worksheets, similar to the year 4 work on relating addition and subtraction, but with larger numbers. If children have not come across this type of exercise before then it is very valuable practice.

It is a concept which the Primary Framework for Mathematics emphasises and is important for maths later during secondary school and GCSEs.

Given one piece of information children should be able to deduce three more. For example: If 187 – 39 = 148

then

187 – 148 = 39

and 148 + 39 = 187

and 39 + 148 = 187

Free Y5 maths worksheet: Revise relationship between addition and subtraction (pg 1)

Free Y5 maths worksheet: Revise relationship between addition and subtraction (pg 2)

One of the most important concepts for children to understand in the early years is the relationship between addition and subtraction. Given one set of facts they should be able to deduce several other facts.

For example:

If 40 + 30 = 70 then:

30 + 40 = 70

and

70 – 40 = 30

and

70 – 30 = 40.

These two free worksheets look at this relationship.

Free Y4 maths worksheets: relate addition and subtraction (pg 1)

Free Y4 maths worksheets: relate addition and subtraction (pg 2)

Similar to the year 2 worksheets but with harder numbers. Children are asked to supply two whole numbers to make the answer total. Some children will have little experiences of this type of question, but will soon catch on to what is needed. Again, some will start with ‘safe’ answers such as 79 + 1 = 80, but should soon gain the confidence to show how good their addition skills are.

Each question asks for two solutions. Some children will repeat their answer by swapping the two numbers eg 30 + 40 = 70 and 40 = 30 = 70. Don’t make this an issue as it shows a very important concept has been understood: that addition can be done in any order.

Free Y3 maths worksheet: Two numbers to make a total (pg 1)

Free Y3 maths worksheet: Two numbers to make a total (pg 2)

Here we have 2 free maths worksheets of a slightly different nature. The total for the answer is given and it is the two numbers to make the answer which are needed. Each problem asks for two solutions. Obviously there are several options using whole numbers to make a total such as 13. Some children will go for the easy option and choose 12 + 1, whilst others will go for harder sums such as 7 + 6.

An interesting progression to this is to ask for all the possible combinations of making 13 and see if children can organise these in a logical order.

Free Y2 maths worksheets: Two numbers to make a total (pg 1)

Free Y2 maths worksheets: Two numbers to make a total (pg 2)

Two maths worksheets here on simple addition. However, there is not any help with either of these in the form of pictures to count on, or a number line. Five year olds will usually need something to help them. At home this could be a bag of buttons or beads or 1p coins, or if nothing is available there is always a set of fingers! All numbers add up to less than 10 at this stage. Over time children will begin to learn them and will also gain confidence with counting.

I was at Bodiam Castle yesterday and a young child began counting the steps up the spiral staircase. She started OK and then got to 6 and continued randomly 3, 5 , 4, 2, 8 – it was too hard to continue past 6.
Free Y1 maths worksheet: Adding two numbers (pg 1)

Free Y1 maths worksheet: Adding two numbers (pg 2)