The tasks in this feature encourage you to make a deliberate choice about the way you solve a calculation. We hope this will help you become a more curious and adventurous mathematician, with the confidence to use any method that you think suits a particular calculation.
Arranging additions and sorting subtractions
Order these four calculations from easiest to hardest. How did you decide?
Fruity pairs
Which two items of fruit could Kate and Sam choose? Can you order the prices from lowest to highest?
Subtraction slip
Can you spot the mistake in this video? How would you work out the answer to this calculation?
Countdown
Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.
Picture your method
Can you match these calculation methods to their visual representations?
Compare the calculations
Can you put these four calculations into order of difficulty? How did you decide?
Method in multiplying madness?
Watch our videos of multiplication methods that you may not have met before. Can you make sense of them?