Max Maths, Year 4, Try it, Totals to 100 and totals to 1000 (1)

In the Max Maths Year 4 curriculum, there's an engaging activity designed to help students understand the concept of number pairs that sum up to 100 or 1,000. The "Let's Try It" exercise uses number lines to visually represent the task at hand, making it easier for young learners to grasp the idea of complementary numbers. For instance, to find the pair to 100 for the number 23, students are guided to first calculate the amount needed to reach the next tens place, which is 30 in this case. After adding the small increment to reach 30, they then determine the remaining amount required to reach 100. This step-by-step approach simplifies the process of finding the number that, when added to 23, totals 100.

Similarly, the exercise guides students through finding the pair to 100 for the number 49. They are encouraged to first find the single-digit number that will take them from 49 to the nearest tens place, which is 50. Once there, they can easily calculate the difference between 50 and 100 to find the complementary pair. The activity also scales up to larger numbers, asking students to find the pair to 1,000 for the number 250. By breaking down the process into manageable steps—first adding to the nearest hundred, then finding the remaining sum to reach 1,000—students can confidently solve for the missing number. This methodical approach helps solidify their understanding of number relationships and addition within these significant numerical milestones.