Maths Matters

with Mrs Trend

Welcome back to our jam packed Term 3 and our next edition of 'Maths Matters'.

Let’s Talk About Partitioning!

Partitioning is one of those behind-the-scenes maths skills that helps students make sense of numbers, perform calculations, and build strong number sense. It’s a valuable strategy for addition, subtraction, and understanding place value.

So what is Partitioning? Partitioning means breaking numbers into parts to make them easier to work with. For example, breaking 47 into 40 and 7, or 125 into 100, 20, and 5. This helps students solve problems in steps, estimate, and mentally add or subtract without always relying on formal written methods.

How You Can Help at Home

Partitioning is easy to practise in everyday moments and it’s a great way to strengthen your child’s understanding of how numbers are built and related.

Break It Down: When adding numbers, say them in parts, eg, “23 is 20 and 3”. This is a common misconception we have been noticing students struggling with so extra practice will go a long way!
Estimate and Adjust: “If you have $47, how many tens and ones is that?”
Shopping Talk: Break prices into parts, eg “$47 is $40 and $7. If you add $10, how much now?”
Use Place Value Cards: Write numbers on cards and practise splitting them into hundreds, tens, and ones.

Activities by Year Level

Foundation:

Partition numbers to 10 in different ways (e.g. 5 is 2 and 3, or 4 and 1).
Use objects like blocks or counters to split groups into parts.
Practise making totals with different combinations.

Years 1–2:

Partition two-digit numbers into tens and ones (e.g. 46 is 40 and 6).
Rearrange and combine numbers in different ways (e.g. 30 + 7 = 20 + 17).
Use number lines and place value charts for visual support.

Years 3–4:

Partition three- and four-digit numbers into thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones.
Break numbers to simplify addition and subtraction problems.
Estimate totals by rounding and partitioning numbers.

Years 5–6:

Partition numbers involving decimals (e.g. 6.4 = 6 + 0.4).
Use partitioning strategies to mentally calculate with larger numbers.
Break numbers apart to estimate before solving problems.

Quick Call-Back Ideas

In the car, while prepping dinner, or over breaky:

“Break 86 into tens and ones.” (answer: 8 tens and 6 ones or 80 and 6 -- really focus on the '8' being 80!)
“How many ways can you make 10?” (answers: 7 and 3, 6 and 4, 5 and 5, 9 and 1, 8 and 2)
“If 125 is 100 and 25, what’s 25 split into tens and ones?”
“Break 7.5 into whole numbers and decimals.” Little mental maths moments like these help build flexible thinking with numbers.

Thank you for supporting your child’s growing number sense. Practising partitioning builds essential skills for addition, subtraction, place value, and beyond — helping students feel more confident tackling numbers in all areas of maths.

— Mrs Trend and The Numeracy Team 🔢✨