KS2 SATs Maths: Written Calculation Methods Guide

Column addition and subtraction

Line up digits by place value and work from the ones column. For subtraction, exchange (borrow) from the next column when a digit is too small to subtract from.

Short multiplication

Multiply a number by a single digit by multiplying each column starting from the ones, carrying any tens into the next column.

Long multiplication

To multiply two multi-digit numbers, multiply the first number by each digit of the second number separately (remembering to add a zero placeholder for the tens digit), then add the results together.

Short and long division

Short division works through the number left to right, carrying remainders to the next digit. Long division is used for dividing by two-digit numbers — write out the multiples of the divisor to help subtract at each step.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting to line up digits by place value, especially with numbers of different lengths.
• Missing the zero placeholder in the second row of long multiplication.
• Losing track of remainders in long division questions.