Fractions - Add Mixed Numbers (Activity) - Starter

The 'Fluent in Four' activity is a mental arithmetic exercise designed for Year 5 students in their Spring Term, specifically Week 7, Day 2. The activity challenges pupils to quickly solve a series of arithmetic problems to build their fluency in mathematical operations. The problems include subtracting two numbers, such as 6,040 minus 556, and more complex calculations that require understanding numerical relationships, such as finding a number that is 37 more than 14 hundreds and then subtracting a number that is 11 less than 35 tens. These exercises not only test students' subtraction skills but also their ability to manipulate numbers and understand place value.

In addition to subtraction, the activity includes balance calculations where students must find missing numbers to equalise both sides of an equation. For example, they might be asked to find what number, when added to 5/16, results in a sum of 1 and 1/24, or what number plus 3/5 equals 2 and 7/24. These balance problems encourage students to apply their knowledge of fractions and mixed numbers in addition. The activity also prompts students to calculate the length of a ribbon, given in metres, and to find the difference between pairs of numbers, such as 7,939 and 2,192 or 9,640 and 124. These tasks are aimed at enhancing students' numerical reasoning and problem-solving skills.