Addition and Subtraction - Efficient subtraction - Worksheet

The "Efficient Subtraction" worksheet, part of the Fluency & Precision series, is designed to enhance the mathematical skills of students, specifically in the subject of subtraction. The National Curriculum objective for this lesson is to add and subtract numbers up to four digits using formal written methods, such as columnar addition and subtraction, and to solve two-step problems within different contexts. The lesson encourages students to decide which operations and methods to use and to understand the reasons behind their choices. Various resources are provided to support the lesson, including differentiated sheets and teaching slides.

Students are expected to use their knowledge of column subtraction and mental methods to determine the most efficient ways to subtract numbers. The worksheet prompts discussions on whether to partition numbers, take away, or find the difference between them. Key vocabulary terms like 'efficient', 'subtraction', 'column subtraction', 'mental methods', 'partition', 'difference', 'part-whole', and 'bar model' are introduced. The worksheet asks critical questions to stimulate thinking, such as whether the column method is always the most efficient, how subtracting one from each number affects the difference, and when it might be more efficient to count on rather than using the column method. Students are also encouraged to represent their subtraction using part-whole or bar models. As they progress, students independently complete calculations and discuss the most effective methods, aiming to deepen their understanding of subtraction and its applications.