Adding and subtracting big numbers

How to help

Line the digits up by place, ones under ones. Start at the right. Regroup when a column adds to 10 or more, or when the top digit is smaller. Check by adding back.

• regrouptrade 1 of a place for 10 of the next one
• sumthe answer to +
• differencethe answer to −
• place valuewhat a digit is worth from where it sits

Watch for: Taking the smaller digit from the bigger in every column instead of regrouping. Getting stuck regrouping across zeros, as in 50,002 − 1,437. Forgetting the 1 carried into the next column.

At home: Check each subtraction by adding the answer to the number taken away. If you get the top number, it's right.

Sample sheet and answer key

New problems every time, three levels (gentle, core and stretch), themes to pick from, a second page if you want one. Each sheet comes with an answer key and a one-page guide for grown-ups.

Standard

Common Core 4.NBT.B.4 · Add and subtract multi-digit numbers with the standard method.

Also: Maryland 2025 4.NOS.B.3 · Texas TEKS 4.4A · Florida B.E.S.T. MA.3.NSO.2.1 · Virginia SOL 4.CE.1

Drill sheets for more practice

• Column addition
• Column subtraction
• Subtracting across zeros

More grade 4 sheets: place value

• Ten times the place
• Reading big numbers
• Rounding big numbers
• Multiplying bigger numbers
• Long division