Max Maths, Year 2, Try it, Adding and subtracting

In the Max Maths Year 2 curriculum, students are exploring the concepts of addition and subtraction with an engaging activity called "Let's Learn Together." Tya demonstrates that adding six numbers in any order will yield the same result. For example, adding 5, 36, 57, 4 in various combinations like 6 + 5 + 3 + 7 + 4 + 5 and 6 + 4 + 3 + 7 + 5 + 5 both result in 30. This illustrates the commutative property of addition, where numbers can be added in any order without changing the sum.

The "Let's Try It" section challenges students to apply this principle to a series of calculations, with a reminder that while additions can be rearranged, subtractions cannot. Students must find the answers to several mixed addition and subtraction problems, such as 4 + 8 − 5 + 6 + 2. Additionally, the text explains the importance of order in subtraction by comparing the different results of 27 − 18 and 18 − 27, reinforcing the concept that subtraction is not commutative. To make addition easier, students are encouraged to rearrange numbers, as shown in the example where 6 + 5 + 3 + 7 + 4 + 5 can be reordered for simpler calculation.