Stage 2 · Add & subtract strategies
Two-digit addition
Left to right: tens first, then ones.
How to do it
Method
Left to right: tens first, then ones
47 + 38 = 47 + 30 + 8 = 77 + 8 = 85
Another way
Column addition
Ones 7 + 8 = 15, write 5, carry 1; tens 4 + 3 + 1 = 8 → 85
In full
Work left to right: 47 + 38 → tens first, 47+30=77, then ones, 77+8=85. Column addition starts from the ones and gets the same answer; mental maths starts at the big end, because that's the end you say first.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
52 + 19
Show the answer and working
Answer: 52 + 19 = 71
Left to right, add the tens first: 52 + 10 = 62, then the ones: 62 + 9 = 71
Example 2
15 + 43
Show the answer and working
Answer: 15 + 43 = 58
Left to right, add the tens first: 15 + 40 = 55, then the ones: 55 + 3 = 58
Example 3
27 + 73
Show the answer and working
Answer: 27 + 73 = 100
Left to right, add the tens first: 27 + 70 = 97, then the ones: 97 + 3 = 100
Example 4
41 + 74
Show the answer and working
Answer: 41 + 74 = 115
Left to right, add the tens first: 41 + 70 = 111, then the ones: 111 + 4 = 115
Practise two-digit addition in the game →Stage 2 · Add & subtract strategies · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download