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KS2

Add 3-digit and 2-digit numbers

Part of MathsAdding and subtractingYear 4

Column addition

Column addition is a very useful way to add 2-digit to 3-digit numbers. Here are some examples taking you through the method.

In each example first look at the ones column, then the tens column, then the hundreds column.

Example 1

What is 237 + 22?

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Start with the ones column and add the numbers: 7 + 2 = 9
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Next move onto the tens column: 3 + 2 = 5
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Finally move onto the hundreds column. There is nothing to add to the 2, so it stays as 2. You have the answer: 259

Example 2

What is 319 + 47?

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Start in the ones column. 9 + 7 = 16. We need to carry over ten to the tens column. Mark it below the column.
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Next move to the tens column. 1 + 4 + 1 = 6. Remember we need to include the additional ten which we carried over from Step 1.
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Finally move to the hundreds column. There is noting to add to the 3. 3 + 0 = 3. You have the answer: 366.

Example 3

What is 531 + 93?

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First, start in the ones column. 1 + 3 = 4
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Now move onto the tens column. 3 + 9 = 12.
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Finally, move to the hundreds column. Because we carried over from the previous step we need to work out 5 + 1 = 6. We have the answer: 531 + 93 = 624.

Activity

More on Adding and subtracting

Find out more by working through a topic

Adding 3-digit and 1-digit numbers together
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Subtract a 1-digit number from a 3-digit number
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Add two-digit numbers
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Add by making 10
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