List

Addition and Subtraction KS2

This collection is one of our Primary Curriculum collections - tasks that are grouped by topic.

Totality
problem
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Totality

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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This is an adding game for two players. Can you be the first to reach the target?
Strike it out
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Strike it Out

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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Use your addition and subtraction skills, combined with some strategic thinking, to beat your partner at this game.

4 Dom
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4 Dom

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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Use these four dominoes to make a square that has the same number of dots on each side.
A Mixed-up Clock
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A Mixed-up Clock

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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There is a clock-face where the numbers have become all mixed up. Can you find out where all the numbers have got to from these ten statements?

First Connect Three
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First Connect Three

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Add or subtract the two numbers on the spinners and try to complete a row of three. Are there some numbers that are good to aim for?
Planning a School Trip
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Planning a School Trip

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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You are organising a school trip and you need to write a letter to parents to let them know about the day. Use the cards to gather all the information you need.
Fifteen cards
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Fifteen cards

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Can you use the information to find out which cards I have used?
Play to 37
problem
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Play to 37

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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In this game for two players, the idea is to take it in turns to choose 1, 3, 5 or 7. The winner is the first to make the total 37.
Build it up
problem
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Build it up

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Can you find all the ways to get 15 at the top of this triangle of numbers? Many opportunities to work in different ways.
Subtraction Surprise
problem
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Subtraction Surprise

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
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Try out some calculations. Are you surprised by the results?
True or False?
problem

True or False?

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Without doing lots of calculations, can you decide which of these number sentences are true? How do you know?
4 by 4 Mathdokus
problem
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4 by 4 Mathdokus

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
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Can you use the clues to complete these 4 by 4 Mathematical Sudokus?
Consecutive Numbers
problem
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Consecutive Numbers

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
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An investigation involving adding and subtracting sets of consecutive numbers. Lots to find out, lots to explore.

Buying a Balloon
problem
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Buying a Balloon

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Lolla bought a balloon at the circus. She gave the clown six coins to pay for it. What could Lolla have paid for the balloon?
Super Shapes
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Super Shapes

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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The value of the circle changes in each of the following problems. Can you discover its value in each problem?

Got It
problem
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Got It

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
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A game for two people, or play online. Given a target number, say 23, and a range of numbers to choose from, say 1-4, players take it in turns to add to the running total to hit their target.

Finding Fifteen
problem
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Finding Fifteen

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Tim had nine cards each with a different number from 1 to 9 on it. How could he have put them into three piles so that the total in each pile was 15?
Four Go
problem
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Four Go

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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This challenge is a game for two players. Choose two of the numbers to multiply or divide, then mark your answer on the number line. Can you get four in a row?
Three neighbours
problem
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Three neighbours

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
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Take three consecutive numbers and add them together. What do you notice?
Six Ten Total
problem
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Six Ten Total

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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This challenge combines addition, multiplication, perseverance and even proof.
Six Numbered Cubes
problem
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Six Numbered Cubes

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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This task combines spatial awareness with addition and multiplication.
Roll these Dice
problem
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Roll these Dice

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Roll two red dice and a green dice. Add the two numbers on the red dice and take away the number on the green. What are all the different possible answers?

Maze 100
problem
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Maze 100

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Can you go through this maze so that the numbers you pass add to exactly 100?
Domino Square
problem
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Domino Square

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Use the 'double-3 down' dominoes to make a square so that each side has eight dots.
Amy's Dominoes
problem
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Amy's Dominoes

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Amy has a box containing domino pieces but she does not think it is a complete set. Which of her domino pieces are missing?
Twenty Divided into Six
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Twenty Divided into Six

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Katie had a pack of 20 cards numbered from 1 to 20. She arranged the cards into 6 unequal piles where each pile added to the same total. What was the total and how could this be done?
Reach 100
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Reach 100

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Choose four different digits from 1-9 and put one in each box so that the resulting four two-digit numbers add to a total of 100.

Sealed Solution
problem
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Sealed Solution

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Ten cards are put into five envelopes so that there are two cards in each envelope. The sum of the numbers inside it is written on each envelope. What numbers could be inside the envelopes?
Dice in a Corner
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Dice in a Corner

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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How could you arrange at least two dice in a stack so that the total of the visible spots is 18?

The Dice Train
problem
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The Dice Train

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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This dice train has been made using specific rules. How many different trains can you make?


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Primary Addition and Subtraction STEM footer
 

You may also be interested in this collection of activities from the STEM Learning website, that complement the NRICH activities above.