Recognise and use the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction and use this to check calculations and missing number problems

Related Worksheets

Inverse Operations - Addition and Subtraction
I designed this resource to help children to visualise the relationship between addition and subtraction. They can then use this relationship to solve missing number problems. There are a wide range of levels, from adding within 20 to using a calculator to add and subtract 5 digit numbers and decimals.

Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Inverse Operations - Addition and Subtraction ?
ITP Number Facts
This ITP has been remade so that it will work in modern browsers. It will remain free to use.

This ITP displays up to 20 coloured counters and the corresponding addition sentence. The number of counters you select, appear on the screen in purple. Click on any counter to change its colour, the number sentence also changes. To hide and reveal the number sentence, click on the box with the question marks. You can replace a number in the number sentence with a question mark by clicking on the number, and drag counters around the screen to form groups. Addition can be changed to subtraction by clicking on the addition sign in the box. Counters can be dragged into the displayed box, which you can make opaque to hide the counters.
The ITP can be used to model addition by combining and counting, and subtraction by partitioning and taking away. The hide and reveal options allow you to pose questions with unknown numbers in different positions in the number sentence. Partitioning counters in different ways helps children to identify all sums and differences of numbers to 20.

For more addition and subtraction resources click here.

Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
ITP Number Facts ?
Counting on to find a difference - beadstrings
I designed this activity to help children to visualise small differences between 2-digit numbers by bridging through multiples of 10. It can also be used to explore links between addition and subtraction and to begin to find differences using a number line.

This game is now part of the 'Calculations' collection, which includes the following 17 games and resources: Column Addition, Expanded Addition, Expanded Addition - Place Value Counters, Number Bonds(2), Addition - Digit Drag, Missing Symbols, Column Subtraction, Column Subtraction using Place Value Counters, Counting on to find difference on a beadstring, Multiplication Grid Method, Multiplication Written Method, Ratio and Scaling Numbers, Representing Multiplication, Division by Chunking Up, Division by Chunking Down, Formal Written Division - Round Up or Down?, Short Division Writen Formal Method.

The Calculations app is available on Google Play (£1.25) and will be available in the App Store in July.

Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Counting on to find a difference - beadstrings ?
ITP Number Line
I am remaking the ITPs so that they will work on all modern browsers and tablets. They will remain freely available to all without the need for a subscription.

This ITP generates a number line. Two markers with numbered boxes can be moved along the number line. Depending on the order of the two markers you can show the sum and difference between the two numbers and the calculation represented. You can hide and reveal the numbers in the boxes, which will also hide and reveal the respective numbers in the calculation. The maximum and minimum values on the number lines can be altered and the numbered intervals can be hidden and revealed.

The ITP can be used to model calculation strategies for addition and subtraction and to develop children’s understanding of the sums and differences between positive and negative numbers. Selecting different scales on the number line and hiding and revealing the numbered intervals can support children’s estimation skills and ability to read horizontal scales.

Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
ITP Number Line ?
Parking Maths - Subtraction
Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Parking Maths - Subtraction ?
Tommy's Trek - Subtraction
For more Tommy's Trek games click here.

Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Tommy's Trek - Subtraction ?
Tommy's Trek - Addition
A fun platformer game that helps develop addition skills. Lots of choice over level. This game will work on any device.

Use the arrow keys to move Tommy. The ctrl key makes him jump and the up arrow selects a number.

Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Tommy's Trek - Addition ?
Maths Race - Subtraction
This game was designed to cover all the mental subtraction objectives in the new maths curriculum. You can choose one objective, or choose all the objectives for a year group.

Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Maths Race - Subtraction ?
Addition - Crystal Crash
A fun game to practise mental addition skills. The game was designed to cover all the mental addition objectives in the new math curriculum. You can choose one objective, or choose all the objectives for a year group.

This game will work on any device in your browser.

Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Addition - Crystal Crash ?
Subtraction - Crystal Crash
The game was designed to cover all the mental subtraction objectives in the new maths curriculum. You can choose one objective, or choose all the objectives for a year group.

This game will work on any tablet or computer.

Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Subtraction - Crystal Crash ?
Maths Race - Addition
A fun game to practise mental addition skills. The game was designed to cover all the mental addition objectives in the new math curriculum. You can choose one objective, or choose all the objectives for a year group.

This game will work on any tablet or computer.

Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Maths Race - Addition ?
Marlon's Magical Maths Mission - Addition
Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Marlon's Magical Maths Mission - Addition ?
Archery Arithmetic - Addition
Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Archery Arithmetic - Addition ?
Maths Fishing - Addition
Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Maths Fishing - Addition ?
Tower of Mathematics - Addition
Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Tower of Mathematics - Addition ?
Archery Arithmetic - Subtraction
Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Archery Arithmetic - Subtraction ?
Maths Fishing - Subtraction
Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Maths Fishing - Subtraction ?
Marlon's Magical Maths Mission - Subtraction
Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Marlon's Magical Maths Mission - Subtraction ?
Tower of Mathematics - Subtraction
Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Tower of Mathematics - Subtraction ?
Jetpack Mathematics - Subtraction
Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Jetpack Mathematics - Subtraction ?
Maths Maze Monsters - Subtraction
Game availability:

Online in HTML5 format
Maths Maze Monsters - Subtraction ?