Add more than 4-digits together - Maths - Learning with ��tv Bitesize

Watch: Adding 4 digits

The basic method for adding numbers with 4 digits or more is to use column addition.

Watch this video to remind yourself about how to use column addition to add up numbers with 3 digits. You can use the same technique for bigger numbers.

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Column addition

The column addition method involves writing one number from the sum underneath the other.

Add the numbers, starting from the right.

If the two numbers in a place value column add up to a number greater than 9, you must carry a digit.

Example 1

Skip image gallery

Image caption,
What is 34,523 + 3,291? Start from the ones column: 3 + 1 = 4. Place a 4 in the ones column
Image caption,
In the tens column: 20 + 90 = 110. Place a 1 in the tens column and carry 1 to the hundreds column by placing a 1 below.
Image caption,
In the hundreds column: 500 + 200 + 100 = 800
Image caption,
In the thousands column: 4000 + 3000 = 7000
Image caption,
In the tens of thousands column: 30,000 + 0 = 30,000
Image caption,
The final sum is 34,523 + 3291 = 37,814

Example 2

Emily thinks that 27,342 + 22,812 = 49,154. Is she correct?

Emily hasn’t shown her working out so use the column method to check her answer.

Skip image gallery

Image caption,
What is 27,342 + 22,812? Start from the ones column: 2 + 2 = 4.
Image caption,
Move to the tens column: 40 + 10 = 50.
Image caption,
In the hundreds column: 300 + 800 = 1,100. The thousand needs to be carried over into the thousand column.
Image caption,
In the thousands column: 7,000 + 2,000 + 1,000 = 10,000. The ten thousand needs to be carried over and a zero needs to be placed in the thousands column.
Image caption,
In the tens of thousands column: 20,000 + 20,000 + 10,000 = 50,000.
Image caption,
The final sum is 27,342 + 22,812 = 50,154.

Emily answered 49,154 which is incorrect. She had forgotten to carry her thousand and ten thousand over to the correct place value!

Always remember to check your work. Have you added on the carried values?

Checklist

Set the numbers you are adding in columns according to place value.
It doesn't matter which number in the sum goes first. For example, 23,345 + 11,129 is the same as 11,129 + 23,345.
Estimate a rough answer before you start adding.
Start from the right, adding the ones column first.
Key words - look out for these words in problems: total, sum, altogether, more. They all indicate an addition calculation.

��tv

Add numbers with 4 digits or more together

Watch: Adding 4 digits

Column addition

Example 1

Example 2

Checklist

Activity

More on Adding and subtracting

����tv

Watch: Adding 4 digits

Column addition

Example 1

Example 2

Checklist

Activity

More on Adding and subtracting

��tv