Speed calculation · lesson 16 of 25 · free

Split and join: 4-digit sums — Speed Calculation

A 4-digit sum is really two 2-digit sums side by side. Cut each number in the middle, add or subtract the left halves and the right halves on their own, and only then look at the join: a right half of 100 or more carries 1 to the left, and a right half that is too small borrows 1 from the left.

The fast method

Split and join — “cut each number into two 2-digit halves, work them separately, fix the join”

  1. Split each 4-digit number into two 2-digit halves: 4768 → 47|68.
  2. Work out the left halves and the right halves on their own.
  3. Adding: a right half of 100 or more carries 1 to the left half.
  4. Subtracting: right half too small? Borrow 1 from the left half — it is worth 100 on the right.

Use it for: Bills and budgets, adding marks or distances, year gaps in history, and long sums in Class 5–8 without paper.

Worked example: 4768 + 3657 = 8425

  1. Split: 47|68 + 36|57.
  2. Left: 47 + 36 = 83. Right: 68 + 57 = 125.
  3. 125 has 3 digits: carry 1 → 84|25 = 8425.

Check: 8425 − 3657 = 4768 ✓

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

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🏁 Lesson 16 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass — and beat the clock: finish within 4 min.

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🖨️ 4-Digit Mental Addition and Subtraction Worksheet

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