Functional Skills Maths: Addition (Level 3)

Multi-step addition with decimals and word problems

Multi-Step Addition

  • Some problems require two or more additions.
  • Work through each step clearly and check as you go.
  • Example: £12.50 + £7.85 + £3.60. Add two at a time.

Adding Decimals

  • Line up the decimal points before adding.
  • Treat decimal addition exactly like whole number addition.
  • Example: 14.75 + 8.99. Line up dots: 14.75 + 8.99 = 23.74.

Solving Word Problems

  • Read the problem carefully — what are you being asked to find?
  • Decide which numbers to add and in what order.
  • Show your working — in an exam, working earns marks even if the final answer is wrong.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Shopping total

  1. Jacket: £35.99. Trousers: £24.50.
  2. £35.99 + £24.50.
  3. Pence: 99 + 50 = 149p = £1 and 49p. Carry £1.
  4. Pounds: £35 + £24 + £1 = £60. Answer: £60.49

Example 2: Total travel time

  1. Bus: 25 minutes. Wait: 15 minutes. Walk: 40 minutes.
  2. 25 + 15 = 40 minutes.
  3. 40 + 40 = 80 minutes.
  4. 80 minutes = 1 hour 20 minutes.

Practice Questions

  • £12.50 + £7.85 + £3.60 = ?
    Hint: First: £12.50 + £7.85 = £20.35. Then: £20.35 + £3.60.
    Answer: £23.95
  • 345 + 278 + 64 = ?
    Hint: First: 345 + 278 = 623. Then: 623 + 64.
    Answer: 687
  • Bus 25 mins, wait 15 mins, walk 40 mins. Total time?
    Hint: 25 + 15 = 40. 40 + 40 = 80. 80 mins = 1 hour 20 mins.
    Answer: 1 hour 20 minutes
Start the interactive lesson →

You can also explore the interactive quiz and progress tracking in the SENtree Learning app.