Addition and subtraction of whole numbers for Primary 4

Class: Primary Four
Term: First Term
Week: 7
Age: 9 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Mathematics
Curriculum Theme: Basic Operations
Focal competence: Adding and subtracting three 4-digit numbers
Key competencies/values: Collaboration
Skills:

• Solving addition and subtraction related problems in everyday life

Previous Lesson: Changing improper fractions to mixed numbers and vice versa and converting fractions to decimals
Topic: Addition And Subtraction
Subject Matter: Addition and subtraction of whole numbers

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Add and subtract whole numbers.
• Perform addition and subtraction of three 4-digit numbers taking two at a time.
• Solve quantitative aptitude problems involving addition and subtraction of whole numbers in 4-digits.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of addition and subtraction in everyday life activities.
• Collaborate with peers to solve addition and subtraction problems.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate the step-by-step process of carrying in addition.
• Demonstrate the step-by-step process of borrowing in subtraction.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Mathematics textbook for Primary 4
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts showing addition and subtraction examples
• Flash cards with 4-digit numbers
• Cardboard cut-outs for place value
• Number cards

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because addition and subtraction are fundamental mathematical operations used daily in various aspects of life, from managing money to calculating quantities. Mastering these skills with larger numbers builds a strong foundation for more complex mathematical concepts and problem-solving abilities.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have a basic understanding of addition and subtraction of 2-digit and 3-digit numbers, as well as knowledge of place value (units, tens, hundreds, thousands).

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Addition And Subtraction

Addition of Whole Numbers

Addition is the process of combining two or more numbers to find their total sum. When adding whole numbers, it is important to align the numbers according to their place value (units under units, tens under tens, hundreds under hundreds, and thousands under thousands).

Steps for Addition with Carrying:

1. Align the numbers vertically by place value.
2. Start adding from the units column.
3. If the sum of a column is 10 or more, write down the unit digit and carry over the tens digit to the next column on the left.
4. Continue adding each column, including any carried-over numbers.

Example 1: Addition of two 4-digit numbers

Question: Add 2,345 and 1,876.

Solution:

  Th H T U
  2  3 4 5
+ 1  8 7 6
---------
  4  2 2 1

Explanation:

1. Units: 5 + 6 = 11. Write down 1, carry over 1 to the tens column.
2. Tens: 4 + 7 + 1 (carried over) = 12. Write down 2, carry over 1 to the hundreds column.
3. Hundreds: 3 + 8 + 1 (carried over) = 12. Write down 2, carry over 1 to the thousands column.
4. Thousands: 2 + 1 + 1 (carried over) = 4. Write down 4.

Answer: 4,221

Adding Three 4-Digit Numbers

To add three 4-digit numbers, you can add the first two numbers, then add the sum to the third number.

Example 2: Addition of three 4-digit numbers

Question: Add 1,234, 5,678, and 987.

Solution:

Step 1: Add the first two numbers.

  Th H T U
  1  2 3 4
+ 5  6 7 8
---------
  6  9 1 2

Step 2: Add the sum from Step 1 to the third number.

  Th H T U
  6  9 1 2
+   0 9 8 7  (Note: 987 is a 3-digit number, align by place value)
---------
  7  8 9 9

Answer: 7,899

Checking Addition

Addition can be checked by subtracting one of the addends from the sum. The result should be the other addend.

For example, if 2,345 + 1,876 = 4,221, then 4,221 – 1,876 should equal 2,345.

Subtraction of Whole Numbers

Subtraction is the process of taking one number away from another to find the difference. Similar to addition, numbers must be aligned by their place value.

Steps for Subtraction with Borrowing:

1. Align the numbers vertically by place value, with the larger number on top.
2. Start subtracting from the units column.
3. If the top digit in a column is smaller than the bottom digit, you need to borrow from the next column to the left.
4. When you borrow, you take 1 from the digit in the next column (reducing it by 1) and add 10 to the digit in the current column.
5. Continue subtracting each column.

Example 3: Subtraction of two 4-digit numbers

Question: Subtract 1,876 from 4,221.

Solution:

  Th H T U
  3 11 11 11  (After borrowing)
  4  2  2  1
- 1  8  7  6
---------
  2  3  4  5

Explanation:

1. Units: We cannot subtract 6 from 1. Borrow 1 from the tens column (2 becomes 1, 1 becomes 11). 11 – 6 = 5.
2. Tens: We cannot subtract 7 from the remaining 1. Borrow 1 from the hundreds column (2 becomes 1, 1 becomes 11). 11 – 7 = 4.
3. Hundreds: We cannot subtract 8 from the remaining 1. Borrow 1 from the thousands column (4 becomes 3, 1 becomes 11). 11 – 8 = 3.
4. Thousands: 3 – 1 = 2.

Answer: 2,345

Subtracting Three 4-Digit Numbers

To subtract three 4-digit numbers (e.g., A – B – C), you subtract the second number from the first, then subtract the third number from that result.

Example 4: Subtraction of three 4-digit numbers

Question: Subtract 1,050 and 875 from 5,000.

Solution:

Step 1: Subtract the first number from 5,000.

  Th H T U
  4  9 10 0
  5  0  0  0
- 1  0  5  0
---------
  3  9  5  0

Step 2: Subtract the second number (875) from the result of Step 1.

  Th H T U
  3  8 14 10 (After borrowing)
  3  9  5  0
-   0  8  7  5
---------
  3  0  7  5

Answer: 3,075

Checking Subtraction

Subtraction can be checked by adding the difference to the number that was subtracted (the subtrahend). The result should be the original number (the minuend).

For example, if 4,221 – 1,876 = 2,345, then 2,345 + 1,876 should equal 4,221.

Solving Word Problems

Word problems require careful reading to identify whether addition or subtraction is needed. Look for keywords like “total,” “sum,” “altogether” for addition, and “difference,” “how many left,” “take away” for subtraction.

Example 5: Word Problem

Question: A farmer harvested 3,560 yams on Monday and 2,895 yams on Tuesday. He sold 4,120 yams in total. How many yams are left?

Solution:

Step 1: Find the total yams harvested.

  Th H T U
  3  5 6 0
+ 2  8 9 5
---------
  6  4 5 5  (Total yams harvested)

Step 2: Subtract the sold yams from the total harvested yams.

  Th H T U
  6  4 5 5
- 4  1 2 0
---------
  2  3 3 5

Answer: The farmer has 2,335 yams left.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Individual Practice, Problem Solving

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Recalling/Engaging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reviews previous knowledge on place value and basic addition/subtraction of 3-digit numbers. The teacher then introduces the topic: Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers (4-digits).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and questions, recalling place value and basic operations. They listen attentively to the new topic.

Learning Point: Place value review

Step 2: Explanation of Addition

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses charts and number cards to demonstrate the step-by-step process of adding two 4-digit numbers with carrying, emphasizing correct place value alignment. The teacher also shows how to add three 4-digit numbers by taking two at a time.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration, ask questions, and follow the teacher’s examples on the charts.

Learning Point: 4-digit addition process

Step 3: Guided Practice – Addition

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher writes a few addition problems (two and three 4-digit numbers) on the board and guides pupils to solve them collaboratively, providing immediate feedback and correction.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in solving the problems on the board, explaining their steps, and making corrections.

Learning Point: Solving addition problems

Step 4: Explanation of Subtraction

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the step-by-step process of subtracting two 4-digit numbers with borrowing, again emphasizing place value. The teacher also shows how to subtract three 4-digit numbers.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration, paying attention to the borrowing process, and ask clarifying questions.

Learning Point: 4-digit subtraction process

Step 5: Guided Practice – Subtraction

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher writes a few subtraction problems (two and three 4-digit numbers) on the board and guides pupils to solve them, ensuring they understand the borrowing concept.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils work through the subtraction problems, explaining their borrowing steps, and correcting errors.

Learning Point: Solving subtraction problems

Step 6: Problem Solving

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents a simple word problem involving both addition and subtraction of 4-digit numbers and guides pupils to identify the operations needed and solve it.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils analyze the word problem, discuss the steps, and work towards finding the solution.

Learning Point: Multi-step number operations

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Add: 3,456 + 1,789
2. Subtract: 5,000 – 2,345
3. A school has 2,150 boys and 1,980 girls. How many pupils are there altogether?
4. Calculate: 7,500 – 1,200 – 850

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Addition/subtraction understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on addition and subtraction of whole numbers into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reminding pupils about the importance of place value and checking their answers. The teacher encourages them to practice regularly.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and reflect on the lesson’s key takeaways.

Learning Point: Consolidating number operations

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Solve the following problems in your exercise books:

1. Add: 4,782 + 3,591
2. Subtract: 9,005 – 4,876
3. Find the sum of 1,234, 2,345, and 3,456.
4. Subtract 1,500 and 750 from 6,000.
5. A shop had 5,670 bags of rice. They sold 2,155 bags. How many bags are left?

Lesson Keywords

• Addition – Combining numbers to find a total.
• Subtraction – Taking one number away from another to find the difference.
• Whole numbers – Numbers without fractions or decimals (0, 1, 2, 3…).
• Place value – The value of a digit based on its position in a number.
• Carrying – Moving a group of ten from one place value column to the next during addition.
• Borrowing – Taking a group of ten from a higher place value column to a lower one during subtraction.

Differentiation

Support for weaker learners: Provide simpler 3-digit number problems initially. Use concrete materials like counters or abacus to demonstrate carrying and borrowing. Pair them with stronger learners for peer support.

Extension for faster learners: Challenge them with more complex word problems involving multiple steps or larger numbers (e.g., 5-digit numbers). Ask them to create their own addition and subtraction problems.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for: addition subtraction 4 digit numbers primary 4 nigeria

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have prepared your charts with clear, large examples of 4-digit addition and subtraction, including steps for carrying and borrowing. Have number cards ready for interactive demonstrations. Begin by revisiting place value concepts, as this is crucial for correct alignment. When demonstrating, speak clearly and walk through each step slowly, especially for borrowing, which can be challenging for some pupils. Encourage pupils to explain their thinking during guided practice to identify misconceptions early. Allow sufficient time for pupils to copy the Board Summary notes neatly into their books. Emphasize the importance of checking answers to build accuracy and confidence.