Addition and Subtraction Reasoning Challenge

Year 2 MathsAddition and Subtraction5 pages

About this worksheet

A Year 2 reasoning challenge in four parts over three pages. Pupils judge six number sentences as true or false and write how they know, including 42 - 15 = 15 - 42 and 19 + 35 = 35 + 29. They find the odd one out in a fact family for 28, 17 and 45, then fill missing digits in two additions and two subtractions. The last page asks for every pair of two-digit numbers that makes 50 from the cards 1, 3, 4 and 6. Answers explain each step. It targets the England National Curriculum statements on inverse and commutative facts.

Page 1 of 5

When this preview is focused, use the left and right arrow keys to move between pages.

Curriculum objectives covered

Number - addition and subtraction

โ€œShow that addition of two numbers can be done in any order (commutative) and subtraction of one number from another cannotโ€

Sentences 1, 2 and 5 in Part 1 and the explain box on page 3 all turn on order.

Number - addition and subtraction

โ€œRecognise and use the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction and use this to check calculations and solve missing number problemsโ€

Sentences 3, 4 and 6, the odd one out and the four missing-digit calculations all use the inverse.

What's inside this worksheet

True or False?

Six number sentences in a table. Pupils tick True or False and fill in the How do you know? column.

Odd One Out

Four calculations with 28, 17 and 45. Pupils circle the one that does not belong and explain why.

Missing-Digit Sums

Four calculations to complete, such as 3_ + _4 = 59 and 82 - _5 = 4_, with a tip to start in the ones column.

Number Card Investigation

Pupils use the digits 1, 3, 4 and 6 to make two-digit pairs that total 50, then explain how they know they have found them all.

Answers

Each true or false answer has a reason, and the missing digits are shown with ones and tens working.

How teachers use it

Read every number

Sentence 4 has a correct subtraction with a wrong check, and sentence 5 swaps 19 for 29. Warn pupils that a quick look will catch them out.

Cards in pairs

Give each pair real digit cards for Part 4. Once they find 14 + 36 and 16 + 34, let them argue whether 36 + 14 counts as a new answer.

Greater depth group

Use it with pupils who finish the main addition and subtraction work early. The How do you know? column gives you written reasoning to assess.

Get started today

Create your own lesson plans, worksheets, and classroom activities in minutes using our AI-powered tools.

Try Chalkie for free