Foundation and Higher · written methods
No calculator?
Line up the
columns.
four methods,
one habit
every written method depends on —
Place value
ones under ones, tens under tens
work from the right
method 1 of 4
Column addition
1. 7 + 5 = 12: write the 2, carry the 1.
2. 6 + 8 + 1 = 15: write 5, carry 1 again.
✓ 467 + 285 = 752
method 2 of 4
Column subtraction
1. 3 − 8 will not go: exchange a ten.
2. 11 − 7 needs a hundred exchanged too.
✓ 523 − 178 = 345
method 3 of 4
Long multiplication
1. First row: 34 × 7 = 238.
2. Second row: a 0 first, then 34 × 2.
✓ Add the rows: 34 × 27 = 918
method 4 of 4
Short division
1. 8 ÷ 6 = 1 remainder 2: carry the 2.
2. 25 ÷ 6 = 4 remainder 1. Then 12 ÷ 6 = 2.
✓ 852 ÷ 6 = 142
written methods —
Line up
the place-value columns
Carry and exchange
write them small, every time
Check
estimate, or use the inverse
Decimals? Line up
the decimal points.
The
Maths Habit
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