Zero in written addition
When working with written methods and switching from subtraction to addition, you may find that pupils calculate incorrectly with zero. This is most common when a pupil has answered a question which involves subtracting a number from zero by exchanging, and then goes on to answer a question which involves adding a number to zero. For example:
After correctly completing the subtraction calculation, the pupil sees the zero in the addition calculation and mistakenly calculates 0 - 6. When trying to correct this, confusion and a lack of confidence with zero may result. If so, some basic reinforcement of zero in the four operations may be beneficial.