A knowledge check on column subtraction with exchanging for Year 4 maths. Pupils warm up with three-digit questions like 482 - 157, step up to four-digit calculations that need more than one exchange, take on the Zero Challenge with questions like 5,000 - 2,473, then fill in missing digits as detectives. The key includes every solution. Follows the England National Curriculum columnar subtraction objective.
Number - addition and subtraction
“Add and subtract numbers with up to 4 digits using the formal written methods of columnar addition and subtraction where appropriate”
The whole sheet drills the subtraction half of this objective, exchanging included.
Three-digit subtractions such as 482 - 157 and 518 - 263.
Four-digit questions like 8,413 - 5,685, some needing multiple exchanges.
Subtractions across zeros, such as 4,005 - 1,368, with a tip on exchanging from zero columns.
Pupils find the missing digits in partially completed calculations.
Assessment check
Run it after teaching exchanging to find out who is secure across zeros.
Intervention
The Zero Challenge section pinpoints the classic 5,000 - 2,473 stumbling block.
Revision starter
Reuse the warm up section before a mixed arithmetic session.
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