Addition and Subtraction: Age 5-7
This is part of our collection of favourite rich tasks arranged by topic.
If you are a teacher, you can find the whole collection on our Primary Curriculum teacher page.
Alternatively, if you are a student, you'll find the same problems on our Primary Curriculum student page.
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problemFavouriteOne Big Triangle
Make one big triangle so the numbers that touch on the small triangles add to 10.
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problemFavouriteButterfly Flowers
Can you find two butterflies to go on each flower so that the numbers on each pair of butterflies adds to the number on their flower?
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problemFavouriteRobot Monsters
Use these head, body and leg pieces to make Robot Monsters which are different heights.
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problemFavouriteCuisenaire Counting
Here are some rods that are different colours. How could I make a yellow rod using white and red rods?
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problemFavouriteNumber Balance
Can you hang weights in the right place to make the the number balance balanced?
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problemFavouriteDomino Sorting
Try grouping the dominoes in the ways described. Are there any left over each time? Can you explain why?
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problemFavouriteNumber Lines
Leah and Tom each have a number line. Can you work out where their counters will land?
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problemFavouriteTug of War
Can you use the numbers on the dice to reach your end of the number line before your partner beats you?
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problemFavouriteSort Them Out (1)
Can you each work out the number on your card? What do you notice? How could you sort the cards?
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problemFavouriteEven and Odd
This activity is best done with a whole class or in a large group. Can you match the cards? What happens when you add pairs of the numbers together?
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problemFavouritePairs of Numbers
If you have ten counters numbered 1 to 10, how many can you put into pairs that add to 10? Which ones do you have to leave out? Why?
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problemFavouriteThe Add and Take-Away Path
Two children made up a game as they walked along the garden paths. Can you find out their scores? Can you find some paths of your own?
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problemFavouriteWhat Was in the Box?
This box does something to the numbers that go into it. If you know the numbers that come out, what might be going on inside the box?
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problemFavouriteTwo Numbers Under the Microscope
This investigates one particular property of number by looking closely at an example of adding two odd numbers together.
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problemFavouriteWhat Could It Be?
In this calculation, the box represents a missing digit. What could the digit be? What would the solution be in each case?
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problemFavouriteDouble or Halve?
Throw the dice and decide whether to double or halve the number. Will you be the first to reach the target?
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problemFavouriteAlways, Sometimes or Never? KS1
Are these statements relating to calculation and properties of shapes always true, sometimes true or never true?
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problemFavouriteArranging Additions and Sorting Subtractions
Order these four calculations from easiest to hardest. How did you decide?
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problemFavouriteFruity Pairs
Which two items of fruit could Kate and Sam choose? Can you order the prices from lowest to highest?
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problemFavouriteSubtraction Slip
Can you spot the mistake in this video? How would you work out the answer to this calculation?
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problemFavouriteHow Many Cubes?
This problem challenges you to work out the number of cubes hidden under a cloth. What questions would you like to ask?
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problemFavouriteNumber Round Up
Arrange the numbers 1 to 6 in each set of circles below. The sum of each side of the triangle should equal the number in its centre.
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problemFavouriteBirthday Cakes
Jack's mum bought some candles to use on his birthday cakes and when his sister was born, she used them on her cakes too. Can you use the information to find out when Kate was born?
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problemFavouriteHeads and Feet
On a farm there were some hens and sheep. Altogether there were 8 heads and 22 feet. How many hens were there?
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problemFavouriteMagic Squares
What do you notice about these squares of numbers? What is the same? What is different?
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problemFavouriteLadybirds in the Garden
In Sam and Jill's garden there are two sorts of ladybirds with 7 spots or 4 spots. What numbers of total spots can you make?
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problemFavouriteEggs in Baskets
There are three baskets, a brown one, a red one and a pink one, holding a total of 10 eggs. How many eggs are in each basket?
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problemFavouriteThe Tall Tower
As you come down the ladders of the Tall Tower you collect useful spells. Which way should you go to collect the most spells?
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problemFavouriteFinding Fifteen
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?
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problemFavouriteRing a Ring of Numbers
Choose four of the numbers from 1 to 9 to put in the squares so that the differences between joined squares are odd.
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problemFavouriteMaking Longer, Making Shorter
Ahmed is making rods using different numbers of cubes. Which rod is twice the length of his first rod?
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problemFavouriteSecret Number
Annie and Ben are playing a game with a calculator. What was Annie's secret number?
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problemFavouriteCaterpillars
These caterpillars have 16 parts. What different shapes do they make if each part lies in the small squares of a 4 by 4 square?
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problemFavouriteFind the Difference
Place the numbers 1 to 6 in the circles so that each number is the difference between the two numbers just below it.
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problemFavouriteFive Steps to 50
Use five steps to count forwards or backwards in 1s or 10s to get to 50. What strategies did you use?
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problemFavouriteThe Amazing Splitting Plant
Can you work out how many flowers there will be on the Amazing Splitting Plant after it has been growing for six weeks?
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problemFavourite2, 4, 6, 8
Using the cards 2, 4, 6, 8, +, - and =, what number statements can you make?
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problemFavouriteThe Tomato and the Bean
At the beginning of May, Tom put his tomato plant outside. On the same day he sowed a bean in another pot. When will the two be the same height?
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problemFavouriteThe Brown Family
Use the information about Sally and her brother to find out how many children there are in the Brown family.
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problemFavouriteStrike It Out
Use your addition and subtraction skills, combined with some strategic thinking, to beat your partner at this game.
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problemFavouriteTake Three Numbers
What happens when you add three numbers together? Will your answer be odd or even? How do you know?
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problemFavouriteDoing and Undoing
An investigation looking at doing and undoing mathematical operations focusing on doubling, halving, adding and subtracting.
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problemFavouriteDicey Addition
In these addition games, you'll need to think strategically to get closest to the target.
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problemFavouriteAlways, Sometimes or Never?
Are these statements relating to odd and even numbers always true, sometimes true or never true?