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Basic Arithmetic

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Basic arithmetic is the load-bearing layer of everything that comes after. Multiplication is repeated addition; division is repeated subtraction; long multiplication and long division are addition and subtraction with bookkeeping. Fluency in the four basic operations on whole numbers — and an honest understanding of why the algorithms work — turns the rest of K-8 math from a hill into a flight of stairs.

These lessons cover addition and subtraction at every level: single digits, two-digit numbers with and without carrying, three-digit numbers with regrouping and borrowing, four- and five-digit numbers when the bookkeeping starts to bite. We treat place value as a topic of its own (because if a learner doesn’t see why “37” means three tens and seven ones, addition with carrying never quite makes sense). We cover estimation and rounding because mental math is a real-world skill — knowing that 487 + 312 is “about 800” before you compute the exact answer prevents most arithmetic errors. And we cover the properties of addition and subtraction — commutativity, associativity, identity — early, because they make later algebra readable.

Every lesson opens with a plain definition, walks through worked examples on tangible quantities (apples, balloons, blocks), and finishes with practice problems whose full reasoning is shown — not just the answer.

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  • Illustration for the Mixed operations: addition and subtraction lesson on Math Lessons
    Basic Arithmetic

    Mixed operations: addition and subtraction

    Solve multi-step problems mixing addition and subtraction — order of operations, intermediate sums, and worked solutions for grades 2-3.

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  • Illustration for the Time: Day and Night lesson on Math Lessons
    Basic Arithmetic

    Time: Day and Night

    Have you ever thought about what makes the sunshine during the daytime or the darkness of the night? Or do you think about how, when there’s a full moon,…

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  • Illustration for the Estimate differences lesson on Math Lessons
    Basic Arithmetic

    Estimate differences

    Estimating differences means finding an approximate answer to a subtraction problem by rounding numbers first. This valuable skill helps students:

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  • Illustration for the Estimate sums lesson on Math Lessons
    Basic Arithmetic

    Estimate sums

    stimating sums means finding an approximate total by rounding numbers before adding them. This math skill helps you:

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  • Illustration for the Ordering and comparing lesson on Math Lessons
    Basic Arithmetic

    Ordering and comparing

    Order and compare whole numbers from smallest to largest using place-value comparison — clear rules and worked examples for grades 1-3.

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  • Illustration for the Rounding lesson on Math Lessons
    Basic Arithmetic

    Rounding

    Rounding means adjusting a number to make it simpler while keeping its value close to the original. We round numbers when we don’t need exact precision –…

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  • Illustration for the Addition and Subtraction Word Problems lesson on Math Lessons
    Basic Arithmetic

    Addition and Subtraction Word Problems

    Addition and subtraction are two of the most essential math operations. Word problems help us apply these skills to real-life situations by presenting them…

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  • Illustration for the Addition of Two and Three-Digit Numbers with Carrying lesson on Math Lessons
    Basic Arithmetic

    Addition of Two and Three-Digit Numbers with Carrying

    Carrying (or regrouping) is a fundamental math technique used when adding numbers where the sum of digits in a column equals 10 or more. The extra value is…

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  • Illustration for the Counting to 10000 lesson on Math Lessons
    Basic Arithmetic

    Counting to 10000

    You already know how to count up to 100, but what about larger numbers like 1,000 or even 10,000? The good news is that the pattern stays consistent! Let’s…

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  • Illustration for the Estimation and Rounding lesson on Math Lessons
    Basic Arithmetic

    Estimation and Rounding

    Estimation is the process of making a close guess about a number, quantity, or measurement without counting or calculating exactly. It helps us quickly find…

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  • Illustration for the Even and Odd Numbers lesson on Math Lessons
    Basic Arithmetic

    Even and Odd Numbers

    Numbers can be divided into two main categories: even and odd. Knowing the difference helps in math problems, counting, and everyday situations like sharing…

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