Interactive guide

Column Arithmetic Restoration

JuniorMathsPuzzles: Column Arithmetic Restoration
Restore a Column Addition
Step 1 / 3
5
+
8
4
0

Damaged record

Asterisks are missing digits. The layout still tells us the place values.

How it worksRead guide

A damaged arithmetic record is a column calculation where some digits have been replaced by \*.

The puzzle is not just to guess the hidden digits. Use the column structure:

  • work from the units column first;
  • keep track of carries and borrows;
  • remember that a multiplication partial product is shifted one place to the left for the tens digit;
  • check the completed record from top to bottom.

Start with short additions, then move on to subtraction and multiplication with partial products.