BrightChamps Logo
Login
Creative Math Ideas Image
Live Math Learners Count Icon104 Learners

Last updated on July 15th, 2025

Math Whiteboard Illustration

Addition with Regrouping

Professor Greenline Explaining Math Concepts

In addition, regrouping is a method used when the sum of digits in the one's place column is 10 or more, and the extra value needs to be carried over to the next column. This process starts from the rightmost digit, the one's place, and moves left. If the sum in a column is less than 10, the result is written directly below. If the sum in a column is 10 or more, only the one digit is written, and the tens' digit is carried over to the next column to be added there. Regrouping is an important step in solving additional problems with large numbers.

Addition with Regrouping for Australian Students
Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

What is Regrouping?

Regrouping is the process of rearranging groups in place value when carrying out operations like addition or subtraction. It usually happens when numbers in a place value column are too large to stay in that column.

 

For example, in addition, if the sum of the digits in the one's place is 10 or more, we regroup by carrying the extra value to the tens place. In subtraction, if the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit, we regroup by borrowing from the next column. Regrouping helps keep the place values accurate, so the final answer is correct. It's also sometimes called carrying in addition or borrowing in subtraction.

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

What is Addition With Regrouping?

Regrouping is used in addition when the sum of the digits in a place value is 10 or more. This is done because we can only have one digit in each place. Since the extra value is carried over to the next column, it is also called carrying.

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

When to Use Regrouping?

We use regrouping in addition or subtraction when numbers in a place value column can't be added or subtracted directly. 

 

Use regrouping in addition when the sum of digits in a place value column is 10 or more. Here, we need to carry the extra value over to the next place value column. 

 

Use regrouping in subtraction when the top digit in any column is smaller than the bottom digit. Since we cannot subtract a larger number from a smaller number, we borrow from the next place value to subtract correctly.

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

What is Carrying in Addition?

Carrying is a part of regrouping. You use it when the sum of digits in the one's place value is 10 or more. Instead of writing a two-digit number in the ones column, you carry the extra value in the tens place to the next column on the left.

 

Let's add: 
 368
+547

 

Step 1: Add the numbers in the ones place
8 + 7 = 15

Since 15 is more than 10, we should write 5 and carry over 1 to the tens' column.

 

Step 2: Add the numbers in the tens place plus the carry

Now add 6 + 4 = 10, and don't forget to carry over 1

10 + 1 = 11

Again, write down 1, and carry over 1 to the hundreds' column.

 

Step 3: Add the digits in the hundreds place plus the carry

3 + 5 = 8 

Adding the carry-over 1, we get 8 + 1 = 9

No carrying this time; just write down 9

So the final answer is 368 + 547 = 915.

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

What is 2-Digit Addition with Regrouping?

A 2-digit addition means you’re adding two numbers that each have two digits, like 47 + 38. Regrouping, sometimes called carrying, happens when the sum of the digits in the one's place is 10 or more. We then regroup by carrying over to the next column. 

 

Example: 47 + 38
Now add this step-by-step:

 

Step 1: Add the digits in the ones place

7 (from 47) + 8 (from 38) = 15

We can’t write 15 in one place because it’s more than 10. So we put the 5 in the one place and carry the 1 over to the tens place.

 

Step 2: Add the tens place

4 (from 47) + 3 (from 38) = 7

Then add the 1 that you carried. So, 7 + 1 = 8

 

Final answer: 85

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

What is 3-Digit Addition with Regrouping?

A 3-digit addition means you're adding numbers that each have three digits, like 245 + 378. Regrouping happens when the numbers in a place value column (ones, tens, or hundreds) add up to 10 or more. When this happens, we need to carry over the extra value to the next column.

 

Example: 245 + 378

Let’s look at this addition step by step:

 

Step 1: Add the numbers in the ones place

5 (from 245) + 8 (from 378) = 13

Put down the 3 in one place. Carry the 1 to the tens' column.

 

Step 2: Add the digits in the tens place

4 + 7 = 11

Then add the 1 you carried: 11 + 1 = 12

Put down the 2 in the tens place. Carry the 1 to the hundreds column.

 

Step 3: Add the hundreds place

2 + 3 = 5

Then add the 1 you carried: 5 + 1 = 6

 

The final answer is 623

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

How to Add Decimals with Regrouping?

Adding decimals with regrouping is just like adding integers. But we need to line up the decimal points carefully and also carry over (regroup) when digits in a decimal place add up to 10 or more. 

 

Let's do this: 3.76 + 4.89

 

Step 1: Line up the numbers by the decimal point

Make sure the digits are lined up correctly by place value: tenths under tenths, hundredths under hundredths, and decimal points lined up.

 

Step 2: Start adding from the right (hundredths place)

6 + 9 = 15

Write down 5, and carry over 1 to the tenths place.

 

Step 3: Add the tenths

7 + 8 = 15, plus the 1 carried = 16

Write down 6, and carry over 1 to the ones place.

 

Step 4: Add the digits in the ones place

3 + 4 = 7, plus the 1 carried over makes it 8

 

Final answer: 8.65

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Real-Life Applications of Addition with Regrouping

Addition with regrouping (also called carrying) might seem like something you only use in elementary school math problems, but it pops up in real-life situations all the time, especially where you're working with money, measurements, or inventory. 

 

  • School and Classroom Activities: In classroom settings, students might add points from different tests or combine book pages they’ve read. Regrouping helps ensure they get the correct total when the sum of the digits of a particular column is equal to or greater than 10.  

 

  • Managing a Budget: Whether you're keeping track of how much money you spend on groceries, bills, or entertainment, you need to add amounts together. If the numbers get large, regrouping helps you accurately combine them to see how much you've spent or what’s left.

 

  • Telling Time and Schedules: When you add minutes to time, regrouping is often needed. For example, if you start something at 2:45 and need to add 30 minutes, you regroup because 45 + 30 equals 75 minutes, which is 1 hour and 15 minutes. So the new time would be 3:15.

 

  • Planning Events: If you're organizing a party and inviting people from different groups (like friends, classmates, and family), you add all the groups together to find the total number of guests. If the total in the ones column is more than 9, you regroup to get an accurate total.

 

  • Measuring Distance or Travel: When you're adding miles or kilometers from multiple trips, you may need to regroup. For example, if you drive 167 miles one day and 278 miles the next, you regroup to find the total distance traveled, which is 445 miles or kilometers.
Max Pointing Out Common Math Mistakes

Common Mistakes in Addition with Regrouping and How to Avoid Them

When learning addition with regrouping, it’s easy to make minor mistakes, especially when working with multiple digits. So here are some common mistakes that we can avoid:

Mistake 1

Red Cross Icon Indicating Mistakes to Avoid in This Math Topic

Forgetting to Carry Over 

Green Checkmark Icon Indicating Correct Solutions in This Math Topic

Teach students to circle or write the carried number above the next column. Use phrases like: “We write the ones, carry the tens.” Practice with visual aids like place value charts or base-ten blocks.

 

For example, when we add 58 + 47, we must start with one place. 8 + 7 = 15. Here, students write 5 but fail to carry over 1 to the next column. If you forget to carry over, your answer will be wrong, so always focus on carrying over.

Mistake 2

Red Cross Icon Indicating Mistakes to Avoid in This Math Topic

Not Adding the Carried Over Number 

Green Checkmark Icon Indicating Correct Solutions in This Math Topic

Sometimes, students may carry a number but forget to complete the addition in the next column. Encourage students to always finish adding each column. Have them ask themselves: “Did I add the carried-over number yet?” Practice problems step-by-step with verbal cues.

Mistake 3

Red Cross Icon Indicating Mistakes to Avoid in This Math Topic

Carrying Over the Wrong Number

Green Checkmark Icon Indicating Correct Solutions in This Math Topic

Students can sometimes carry over the wrong number.

 

For example, while adding 28 and 12, we should add 8 and 2. Here, the correct method is writing down 0 and carrying over 1 (8 + 2 = 10). But we may mistakenly carry over 0, which will produce an incorrect answer.

Mistake 4

Red Cross Icon Indicating Mistakes to Avoid in This Math Topic

Carrying to the Wrong Column

Green Checkmark Icon Indicating Correct Solutions in This Math Topic

Students can carry the extra digit to the wrong place value column (e.g., carries to hundreds instead of tens). Emphasize place value names (ones, tens, hundreds). Use place value charts to keep columns clear. Teach students to always look at the column directly to the left of where they are adding. 

Mistake 5

Red Cross Icon Indicating Mistakes to Avoid in This Math Topic

Misaligning the Numbers

Green Checkmark Icon Indicating Correct Solutions in This Math Topic

If numbers are not lined up properly, it will lead to wrong calculations. Use grid paper or turn lined paper sideways to create columns. Practice lining up digits from right to left. Remind students that each place value must be directly above or below the same place value.

arrow-right
Max from BrightChamps Saying "Hey"

Solved Examples of Addition with Regrouping

Ray, the Character from BrightChamps Explaining Math Concepts
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 1

Add 47 and 36.

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

47 + 36 = 83

Explanation

Start with the ones place: 7 + 6 = 13

→ Write 3 in one place and carry over 1 to the tens place.

Now add the tens place: 4 + 3 = 7, plus the carried 1 = 8

Final answer = 83

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 2

Add 58 and 67.

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

58 + 67 = 125

Explanation

One's place: 8 + 7 = 15

→ Write down 5, carry 1 to the tens.

Tens place: 5 + 6 = 11, plus the carried 1 = 12

Since there is no hundreds place, write down 12

The final answer is 125

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 3

Add 346 and 578.

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

346 + 578 = 924

Explanation

One's place: 6 + 8 = 14 → write 4, carry 1

Tens place: 4 + 7 = 11, plus 1 = 12 → write 2, carry 1

Hundreds place: 3 + 5 = 8, plus 1 = 9

Final answer = 924

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 4

Add 129 and 478.

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

129 + 478 = 607

Explanation

Ones: 9 + 8 = 17 → write 7, carry 1

Tens: 2 + 7 = 9, plus 1 = 10 → write 0, carry 1

Hundreds: 1 + 4 = 5, plus 1 = 6

Final answer = 607

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Problem 5

Add 825 and 197.

Ray, the Boy Character from BrightChamps Saying "Let’s Begin"

825 + 197 = 1,022

Explanation

Ones: 5 + 7 = 12 → write 2, carry 1

Tens: 2 + 9 = 11, plus 1 = 12 → write 2, carry 1

Hundreds: 8 + 1 = 9, plus 1 = 10 → write 0, carry 1

Thousands: No number on top, but we carried 1 → write 1

Final answer = 1,022

Max from BrightChamps Praising Clear Math Explanations
Ray Thinking Deeply About Math Problems

FAQs of Addition with Regrouping

1.What is addition with regrouping?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

2.Why do we need to regroup in addition?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

3.When do we regroup in addition?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

4.What does "carry over" mean?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

5.What if I forget to regroup—will my answer still be right?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

6.How can children in Australia use numbers in everyday life to understand Addition with Regrouping ?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

7.What are some fun ways kids in Australia can practice Addition with Regrouping with numbers?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

8.What role do numbers and Addition with Regrouping play in helping children in Australia develop problem-solving skills?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow

9.How can families in Australia create number-rich environments to improve Addition with Regrouping skills?

Math FAQ Answers Dropdown Arrow
Math Teacher Background Image
Math Teacher Image

Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana

About the Author

Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.

Max, the Girl Character from BrightChamps

Fun Fact

: She loves to read number jokes and games.

INDONESIA - Axa Tower 45th floor, JL prof. Dr Satrio Kav. 18, Kel. Karet Kuningan, Kec. Setiabudi, Kota Adm. Jakarta Selatan, Prov. DKI Jakarta
INDIA - H.No. 8-2-699/1, SyNo. 346, Rd No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500034
SINGAPORE - 60 Paya Lebar Road #05-16, Paya Lebar Square, Singapore (409051)
USA - 251, Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware 19808
VIETNAM (Office 1) - Hung Vuong Building, 670 Ba Thang Hai, ward 14, district 10, Ho Chi Minh City
VIETNAM (Office 2) - 143 Nguyễn Thị Thập, Khu đô thị Him Lam, Quận 7, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Dubai - BrightChamps, 8W building 5th Floor, DAFZ, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
UK - Ground floor, Redwood House, Brotherswood Court, Almondsbury Business Park, Bristol, BS32 4QW, United Kingdom