Kumon Shrewsbury Study Centre

Introduction to Column Addition & Place Value

We are kicking off a brand-new "Conquering Column Addition" series, designed to guide students from the fundamentals to advanced multi-digit calculations!

In this first post, we tackle the absolute core concepts that make the entire method work: tidy alignment and place value. Column addition can be intimidating with large numbers, but by breaking it down column by column, it becomes as simple as single-digit math.

Want to help your child master column addition from the ground up?

Our daily Kumon study program helps students internalize these concepts through focused practice.

🏠 Join us at Kumon Shrewsbury to master large numbers!
🌐 www.kumon.co.uk/shrewsbury
📱 WhatsApp us: 07795 697 128

🟦 Post #4: Putting it Together (Subtracting Fractions)

Welcome back to Part 4 of our Conquering Fractions series! 🚀

Now that we’ve mastered finding the Lowest Common Denominator (LCD), subtracting fractions is a walk in the park!

🚶 The 3-Step Subtraction Walk

Let’s look at how to subtract 5/6 – 1/4 using our LCD of 12, just like in the graphic above:
1. Match the bottoms: Convert both fractions so they share the same denominator of 12.
o 5x2 (top) and 6*2 (bottom) = 10/12
o 1x3 (top) and 4x3 (bottom) = 3/12
2. Subtract the tops ONLY: Now that the "slices" are the same size, we just subtract the numerators: 10 - 3 = 7.
3. Keep the bottom the same: Our final answer is 7/12.

⚠️ The Golden Rule
Never, ever subtract the bottom numbers! If you have 10 slices of a 12-slice pizza and you eat (subtract) 3 slices, you have 7 slices of a 12-slice pizza left... not a 0-slice pizza! 🍕
________________________________________
Coming Up Next:
In our next post, we’re moving on to Multiplying Fractions! ✖️ Many students are surprised to learn that multiplying is actually easier than adding or subtracting. See you there!

Ready for your child to feel confident in class?

Our Kumon worksheets guide students through these steps daily until they become second nature. No more "fraction friction"!

🏠 Join us at Kumon Shrewsbury:
🌐 www.kumon.co.uk/shrewsbury
📱 WhatsApp us: 07795 697 128

Welcome to Part 4 of our Conquering Fractions series! 🚀 Now that we’ve mastered the LCD (from Post #3), adding fractions is a walk in the park.
🚶 The 3-Step Addition Walk
Let’s look at how to add 1/4 + 2/6 using our LCD of 12.
1. Match the bottoms (second number): Convert both fractions so they have a denominator of 12.
o 1/4 x 3 = 3/12
o 2/6 x 2 = 4/12
2. Add the tops (first number) ONLY: Now that the "slices" are the same size, we just add the numerators: 3 + 4 = 7.
3. Keep the bottom the same: Our final answer is 7/12
⚠️ The Golden Rule
Never, ever add the bottom numbers! If you have 3 slices of a 12-slice pizza and your friend has 4 slices, you have 7 slices of a 12-slice pizza... not a 24-slice pizza! 🍕
💡 Don't forget Post #2!
Always check if your final answer can be reduced or if it has become improper. For 7/12, we are all set—it’s already in its simplest form.
________________________________________
Coming Up Next:
In our next post, we’re tackling the "Big Boss" of the series: Subtracting by borrowing from a whole number. 🧗‍♂️ It’s the trickiest part of fractions, but we’ll break it down into easy steps!
Ready for your child to feel confident in class?
Our Kumon worksheets guide students through these steps daily until they become second nature. No more "fraction friction"!
🏠 Join us at Kumon Shrewsbury:
🌐 www.kumon.co.uk/shrewsbury
📱 WhatsApp us: 07795 697 128

Welcome back to Part 3 of our Conquering Fractions series! 🚀

Today, we’re tackling the most important step for adding and subtracting fractions: finding the Lowest Common Denominator (LCD).

🍎 Why do we need it?

Imagine trying to add 2 apples and 3 oranges. You can’t just say you have "5 app-oranges." To add them, you need a common name, like "5 pieces of fruit."

Fractions are the same! You can’t directly add 1/2 and 1/3 because the "slices" are different sizes. We need to find a Common Denominator to make the slices the same size.

🥷 The "Times Table Ninja" Technique
This is where your multiplication skills shine! To find the LCD, you just look for the smallest number that is in both times tables.

Example: 1/4 and 1/6
1. List the 4 times table: 4, 8, 12, 16...
2. List the 6 times table: 6, 12, 18...
3. 12 is the winner!

💡 Pro Tip: What you do to the bottom, you MUST do to the top!
Once you’ve found your LCD, remember to change the numerators (the top numbers) too. If you multiplied the bottom by 3 to get to 12, you must multiply the top by 3 as well.
________________________________________
Coming Up Next:

In Post #4, we’ll put these LCD skills to work and learn how to Add Fractions like a pro! ➕

Want your child to become a Maths Ninja?

At Kumon Shrewsbury, we help students master their times tables so that finding an LCD becomes second nature.

🏠 Join us at Kumon Shrewsbury:
🌐 www.kumon.co.uk/shrewsbury
📱 WhatsApp us: 07795 697 128

Welcome back to Part 2 of our Conquering Fractions series! 🚀

Today, we’re talking about how to make fractions look "tidier" and what to do when they get a bit top-heavy.

✂️ Reducing Fractions (Simplifying)

Think of reducing a fraction like "shrinking" the numbers without changing the value. If you have 4/8 of a cake, you actually have 1/2. It’s the same amount, just easier to read!

The Trick: Divide the top (numerator) and the bottom (denominator) by the same number.
• Example: 6/9 ➡️ Divide both by 3 ➡️ 2/3
• This is where those Times Tables come in handy! If you know your 3 times table, you’ll spot that 6 and 9 are both in it instantly.

🧗 Improper Fractions (The "Top-Heavy" Ones)
Sometimes, the top number is bigger than the bottom, like 7/3. This just means you have more than one whole.

To resolve this, remember our rule from Post #1: Fractions mean division!

• How many 3s go into 7? 2 (with 1 left over).
• So, 7/3 becomes 2 1/3.

💡 Why does this matter?

Whether you are cancelling down big numbers to make a multiplication problem easier or giving your final answer in its simplest form, being able to "see" the division inside a fraction is a total game-changer.
________________________________________
Coming Up Next:
Stay tuned for Post #3, where we’ll tackle the mystery of the Lowest Common Denominator (LCD)—essential for adding and subtracting! 🧩

Want to master these skills?

At Kumon Shrewsbury, our worksheets are designed to help students build the mental "fluency" to simplify fractions in their heads. Practice makes perfect!

🏠 Join us at Kumon Shrewsbury:
🌐 www.kumon.co.uk/shrewsbury
📱 WhatsApp us: 07795 697 128

Welcome to the start of our Conquering Fractions series! 🚀
Many students (and adults!) feel a bit of "fraction friction," but the secret is simpler than you think: A fraction is just a division problem in disguise. 🥸

➗ The "Divided By" Connection
When you see a fraction bar, think of it as a division sign.
4 ÷ 2 = 2
4/2 = 2
They are two different ways of writing the exact same thing!

🍕 Why do we need them?

We use fractions to show answers that are less than 1. If you have one whole pizza and share it with a friend, you each get 1/2. We can’t use a whole number to describe that slice, so fractions step in to save the day!

💡 The "Secret Sauce": Times Tables

To master fractions, you need to be a Times Table Ninja. 🥷

Having strong multiplication and division skills is the key to:
1) Reducing fractions to their cleanest form.
2) Handling "top-heavy" Improper Fractions.
3) Finding the Common Denominator (LCD) for adding and subtracting.

________________________________________
Coming Up Next:
Follow our page for Post #2, where we’ll use these division skills to Reduce Fractions and tackle those tricky Improper Fractions! 🧗‍♂️

Need a little extra boost?
At Kumon Shrewsbury, we provide tailored worksheets and support to help students master every aspect of maths—from the basics to advanced calculus.
🏠 Join us at Kumon Shrewsbury:
🌐 www.kumon.co.uk/shrewsbury
📱 WhatsApp us: 07795 697 128

Mastering the Basics: The Times Table Superpower! ⚡️

Just like a musician practices scales to play a song flawlessly, a Kumon student practices their times tables to make maths feel effortless!

At Kumon Shrewsbury, we know that mastering times tables is one of the most powerful things a child can do for their Maths education. It’s the essential building block for almost everything that follows.

Why is instant recall so important?
• It Unlocks Everything: When times tables are automatic, your child’s brain is freed up to focus on the method for more complex problems. It directly unlocks success in:
o Division (it's multiplication in reverse!)
o Column Multiplication
o Long Division
o Fractions (finding common denominators and simplifying)
• It Builds Confidence: Speed and accuracy in the basics create a sense of accomplishment and a positive attitude towards Maths.
• It Minimises Mistakes: Fewer mental calculations mean fewer opportunities for error.

Our Kumon worksheets are designed to provide the perfect amount of daily practice needed for your child to achieve instant recall. This repetition is a critical part of the Kumon Method, turning something that might feel challenging into a natural, automatic skill.

Ready to give your child the gift of maths confidence?
________________________________________
Start their journey to times table mastery today! Message us to book a FREE assessment and learn how we can help.