Addition in any order · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Addition in any order

Mathematics · Addition & Subtraction · ages 6-7
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. 6 + 4 gives the same answer as 4 + 6.

    Circle one:   True   False

  2. Mia picks 3 red apples and 8 green apples. Which addition gives the same total as 3 + 8?

    • 8 + 3
    • 8 - 3
    • 3 + 3
    • 8 + 8

  3. 3 + 8 = 11. What is 8 + 3?

    • 11
    • 5
    • 24

  4. You can add two numbers in any order and always get the same answer.

    Circle one:   True   False

  5. Does 9 - 4 give the same answer as 4 - 9?

    • Yes, subtraction can be flipped like addition
    • Yes, but only when the numbers are close together
    • No, subtraction cannot be flipped

  6. 5 - 3 gives the same answer as 3 - 5.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. Sam wants to find 2 + 9 by counting on. What is the quickest way?

    • Start at 9 and count on 2
    • Start at 2 and count on 9
    • Start at 0 and count to 2
    • Add 9 + 9 instead

  8. You want to add 3 + 9 quickly by counting on. Which is the best way?

    • Start at 9 and count on 3: 10, 11, 12
    • Start at 3 and count on 9: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8...
    • Start at 0 and count all 12 numbers

  9. Ivy says: '7 - 2 and 2 - 7 must be the same, because 7 + 2 and 2 + 7 are the same.' What is wrong with her thinking?

    • She should have added the numbers instead
    • She is using the addition flip rule for subtraction, which does not work
    • Nothing is wrong, she is correct

  10. Use the flip rule to add 6 + 15 the fast way, starting from the bigger number. What is the total?

    Answer: ______________

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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Addition in any order W1-mt_QCgbiVrwnp-s1

  1. True · When you add, you can swap the numbers and the answer stays the same.
  2. 8 + 3 · You can add in any order. Switching the numbers does not change the total.
  3. 11 · Addition can be done in any order. 3 + 8 and 8 + 3 both equal 11.
  4. True · That is the flip rule for addition. For example, 4 + 5 and 5 + 4 both equal 9.
  5. No, subtraction cannot be flipped · 9 - 4 = 5, but 4 - 9 does not equal 5. Order matters for subtraction, even though it does not for addition.
  6. False · Swapping works for adding, not for taking away.
  7. Start at 9 and count on 2 · Since you can add in any order, start with the bigger number and count on the smaller one.
  8. Start at 9 and count on 3: 10, 11, 12 · Since 3 + 9 is the same as 9 + 3, start from the bigger number, 9, and count on just 3 more.
  9. She is using the addition flip rule for subtraction, which does not work · The flip rule works for addition, but not for subtraction. 7 - 2 = 5, while 2 - 7 does not equal 5.
  10. 21 · 6 + 15 is the same as 15 + 6. Starting at 15 and counting on 6 is quicker than starting at 6.
Worksheet · LightMySky