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.

problem
Favourite

Doing and Undoing

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

An investigation looking at doing and undoing mathematical operations focusing on doubling, halving, adding and subtracting.
problem
Favourite

How Do You See It?

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Here are some short problems for you to try. Talk to your friends about how you work them out.
problem
Favourite

Dicey Addition

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

In these addition games, you'll need to think strategically to get closest to the target.
problem
Favourite

Always, Sometimes or Never?

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Are these statements relating to odd and even numbers always true, sometimes true or never true?
problem
Favourite

Digit Addition

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Try out this number trick. What happens with different starting numbers? What do you notice?
problem
Favourite

Five Coins

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Ben has five coins in his pocket. How much money might he have?
problem
Favourite

The Puzzling Sweet Shop

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

There were cola bottles for 2p, mini eggs for 3p, marshmallow twists for 5p and lollipops for 7p in the sweet shop. What could each of the children buy with their money?
problem
Favourite

Make 37

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Four bags contain a large number of 1s, 3s, 5s and 7s. Can you pick ten numbers from the bags so that their total is 37?