Toys are fun — and maths is everywhere in a toy shop! In this chapter we use the exciting world of toys to practise addition and subtraction with numbers up to 1000. We also begin to understand the idea of patterns while arranging toys.
Addition (up to 3 digits)
Adding means combining groups to find the total. We add digit by digit from the right (ones first, then tens, then hundreds), and we carry over when a column adds up to 10 or more.
Subtraction (up to 3 digits)
Subtracting means finding how many are left or how many more. When the digit on top is smaller than the digit below in a column, we borrow from the next column on the left.
---
Example 1: Simple addition
A shop has 234 red toys and 152 blue toys. How many toys in all?
234
+ 152
-----
Ones: 4 + 2 = 6
Tens: 3 + 5 = 8
Hundreds: 2 + 1 = 3
Answer: 386 toys
Example 2: Addition with carry
425 + 378 = ?
Ones: 5 + 8 = 13 → write 3, carry 1
Tens: 2 + 7 + 1 (carry) = 10 → write 0, carry 1
Hundreds: 4 + 3 + 1 = 8
Answer: 803
Example 3: Simple subtraction
Riya had 568 stickers. She gave 235 to friends. How many does she have left?
568
- 235
-----
Ones: 8 - 5 = 3
Tens: 6 - 3 = 3
Hundreds: 5 - 2 = 3
Answer: 333 stickers
Example 4: Subtraction with borrowing
304 - 157 = ?
Ones: 4 - 7 → borrow from tens; tens digit is 0, so borrow from hundreds.
After borrowing: ones becomes 14 - 7 = 7; tens becomes 9 - 5 = 4; hundreds 2 - 1 = 1.
Answer: 147
Example 5: Word problem
A toy shop sold 215 toys on Saturday and 189 on Sunday. How many more did it sell on Saturday?
215 - 189: Ones: 5 - 9 → borrow → 15 - 9 = 6; Tens: 0 - 8 → borrow → 10 - 8 = 2; Hundreds: 1 - 1 = 0.
Answer: 26 more toys
---
- Key Formula
- Total = Part 1 + Part 2 (addition)
- Difference = Larger number - Smaller number (subtraction)
- Check: Subtraction answer + smaller number = larger number
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to carry over in addition — always check if a column total is 10 or more.
- Not borrowing properly in subtraction — when the tens digit is 0, you must borrow from hundreds first.
Summary
Addition combines groups (carry when needed); subtraction finds the difference (borrow when needed). Always start from the ones column and work left.