Adding and subtracting decimal numbers using column method with aligned decimal points.
Where your child meets this in real life: Adding up prices, calculating change with pounds and pence, or totalling measurements
Each SEAG paper has 28 maths questions. Questions 29 to 50 are multiple choice with five possible answers, and questions 51 to 56 need a short written answer. With 56 questions in 60 minutes across English and maths, that is about a minute per question.
SEAGReady breaks add and subtract decimals into 3 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Add and subtract decimal numbers with the same number of decimal places without requiring carrying or borrowing
Add and subtract decimal numbers with the same number of decimal places when carrying or borrowing is required
Add and subtract decimal numbers with different numbers of decimal places by matching place values through zeros
Try three free questions from our add and subtract decimals course. They start easy and get harder, so you can see where your child's confidence runs out. If they manage the last one without a hint, this topic is probably secure. If not, the steps above show where to start.
Poppy bought a ruler for £1.24 and an eraser for £0.53 at the school shop. How much did she spend altogether?
At the cafe, Max bought a coffee for £2.75 and a muffin for £1.85. What was the total cost?
A plumber has a 10 metre pipe. She cuts off pieces of 2.45 metres and 3.7 metres. How much pipe is left?
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Ella bought a notebook for £2.35 and a pen for £1.42 at the school shop.
How much did she spend altogether?
2.35 + 1.42
Write the numbers in columns with the decimal points directly above each other
Step 1 of 4
Ella bought a notebook for £2.35 and a pen for £1.42 at the school shop.
How much did she spend altogether?
Ella spent £3.77 altogether.
The key insight: Adding decimals works just like whole numbers - just keep those decimal points lined up!
Common mix-up: 2.35 + 1.42 = 377 (forgetting the decimal point). The decimal point in the answer must line up with the decimal points above it.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in add and subtract decimals, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with add and subtract decimals? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
Sitting the SEAG test this November? Read our last-month revision plan, Paper 1 vs Paper 2 and test day guide.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.
Free to start · no card needed