Three methods of addition are recommended and whilst children might become familiar with all three, it is the third that they will end up using. All stress the importance of setting out in columns, with the units lining up underneath the units and so on. The third method is considered the most efficient. More details of each method are available on the site, following the link at the bottom of the page. Method A: where the most significant digits (the largest) are added first. This builds on the mental methods of addition already learned. Method B: this is called compensation. This is where too much is added and then some subtracted to compensate. Method C is usually known as the 'carrying' method. This is a very popular way when using pencil and paper, always starting with the units and is often called the standard method. It is important during this kind of work that the children are asked to explain what they are doing and why the method works. Addition sums are sometimes already laid out in the paper and pencil method, but very often they will be presented horizontally: Eg.    Find the total of:    53,     7 162,     6   and    648 Checking answers.  On a list of additions such as this check the adding by going in the reverse direction e.g. check by adding from the bottom number up or vice versa. Children are also expected to add using the decimal point in the context of money and length. To do this they must be aware of the need to line up the decimal points under each other. When using squared paper we recommend that the decimal point is placed on the line, not in a separate square, and half way up the line. Go to Year 5 addition concepts