A Flexible Approach to Calculating
The tasks in this feature are designed to encourage learners to make, and justify, decisions about the method they use to solve a calculation. If we give pupils opportunities to choose a method that is well suited to a particular calculation, they will become curious, adventurous mathematicians, and are more likely to be accurate compared with following a procedure without reflecting first.
Let's Get Flexible! Age 5 to 11
In this article for primary teachers, Ems outlines how we can encourage learners to be flexible in their approach to calculation, and why this is crucial.
Arranging Additions and Sorting Subtractions Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
Challenge Level
Order these four calculations from easiest to hardest. How did you decide?
Fruity Pairs Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
Challenge Level
Which two items of fruit could Kate and Sam choose? Can you order the prices from lowest to highest?
Subtraction Slip Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level
Challenge Level
Can you spot the mistake in this video? How would you work out the answer to this calculation?
Picture Your Method Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
Challenge Level
Can you match these calculation methods to their visual representations?
Compare the Calculations Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level
Challenge Level
Can you put these four calculations into order of difficulty? How did you decide?
Countdown Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level
Challenge Level
Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.
Method in Multiplying Madness? Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level
Challenge Level
Watch our videos of multiplication methods that you may not have met before. Can you make sense of them?
Copyright © 1997 - 2023. University of Cambridge.
All rights reserved.
NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.
NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.