Whole Number Operations (+, −, ×, ÷) — GCSE Maths Tutorial, Worked Examples & Practice

Revise Whole Number Operations (+, −, ×, ÷) (column addition, subtraction across zeros, long multiplication and bus-stop division) within Number — Foundation Arithmetic, aligned to Edexcel, AQA & OCR GCSE (9–1) and International GCSE Maths. The interactive practice tool at the top of this page includes 30 self-marking practice questions across 3 structured skill steps, with instant diagnostic feedback and full worked solutions.

Step 1 of 310 interactive practice questions

Column Addition & Subtraction

Adding and subtracting multi-digit whole numbers including borrowing across zeros

Key Method & Revision Notes

On Paper 1 (Non-Calculator), line up integers by their units column on the right and work from right to left:
• Addition: If a column adds to $10$ or more, write the units digit and carry the tens digit underneath.
• Subtraction across zeros (e.g. $604 - 238$): You cannot do $4 - 8$ or borrow from $0$ directly — borrow $1$ hundred from $6$ ($60$ tens becomes $59$ tens, giving $14$ units!).

Worked Example

Question:

Work out: (a) $578 + 1649$ (b) $4002 - 1537$

Step-by-Step Solution:

(a) Align units on the right: $578 + 1649 = \mathbf{2227}$.

(b) Borrow across the zeros ($400$ tens $\to 399$ tens + $12$ units): $4002 - 1537 = \mathbf{2465}$.

(a) 2227 • (b) 2465

Ready to test this skill? Use the interactive tool at the top of the page to practise 10 self-marking exam-style questions (30 questions loaded in this topic module).

Step 2 of 310 interactive practice questions

Long Multiplication

Multiplying 2-digit and 3-digit whole numbers without a calculator

Key Method & Revision Notes

To multiply multi-digit whole numbers (e.g. $347 \times 26$), split the multiplier into units and tens:
1. Row 1 (Multiply by $6$): $347 \times 6 = 2082$.
2. Row 2 (Multiply by $20$): Write a placeholder $0$ in the units column first, then multiply $347 \times 2 = 694 \rightarrow 6940$.
3. Add the two rows: $2082 + 6940 = \mathbf{9022}$.

Worked Example

Question:

Work out $264 \times 35$ without a calculator.

Step-by-Step Solution:

1. $264 \times 5 = 1320$.

2. $264 \times 30 = 7920$ (place a $0$ in the units column first).

3. Add: $1320 + 7920 = \mathbf{9240}$.

$$ 9240 $$

Ready to test this skill? Use the interactive tool at the top of the page to practise 10 self-marking exam-style questions (30 questions loaded in this topic module).

Step 3 of 310 interactive practice questions

Short & Long Division

Dividing whole numbers by 1-digit and 2-digit divisors using the bus-stop method

Key Method & Revision Notes

For short division (bus-stop method) and 2-digit division (e.g. $\div 15$ or $\div 24$), work from left to right:
1. Divide each digit from the left; carry any remainder onto the next digit.
2. When dividing by a 2-digit number (like $16$), jot down a quick list of multiples on the side ($16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96$) so you never miscalculate!
3. Check your answer by multiplying back: $\text{Quotient} \times \text{Divisor} = \text{Dividend}$.

Worked Example

Question:

Work out $864 \div 16$ without a calculator.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Multiples of $16$: $16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96$.

1. $86 \div 16 = 5$ remainder $6$ (since $5 \times 16 = 80$).

2. Carry $6$ onto $4$ to make $64$: $64 \div 16 = 4$.

Answer: $54$.

$$ 54 $$

Ready to test this skill? Use the interactive tool at the top of the page to practise 10 self-marking exam-style questions (30 questions loaded in this topic module).

Whole Number Operations (+, −, ×, ÷) — GCSE Maths Tutorial, Worked Examples & Practice

Column Addition & Subtraction

Key Method & Revision Notes

Worked Example

Long Multiplication

Key Method & Revision Notes

Worked Example

Short & Long Division

Key Method & Revision Notes

Worked Example

Related GCSE Maths Topics (Foundation Arithmetic)