NCERT Maths Mela, Class 5, textbook pages 42–56

How to teach Class 5 Maths Chapter 4, We the Travellers — II, at home

Adding and subtracting large numbers, taught with things you already have at home: a 10-minute activity, a game for the week, a 5-day plan and the mistakes to watch for.

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NCERT Class 5 Maths Chapter 4 We the Travellers — II: what it teaches

Fuel for vehicles, distances and tickets give large sums. Your child adds and subtracts numbers in thousands and lakhs, estimates first, and plays with number puzzles like making two groups have equal sums.

Why it matters later. Large-number addition and subtraction with estimation is used in budgets, distances and science later.

See it: this chapter in pictures

1 3 2sum 67 9sum 16swap cards to make sums equal
Swapping one pair changes both sums.
5,00,000− 2,34,5672,65,433zeros become 9s when you borrow
Borrowing across zeros, step by step.
48,900 + 21,300≈ 49,000 + 21,000≈ 70,000
Round first to estimate.

You need

  • small paper cards for numbers
  • a notebook for column sums
  • a map with distances (optional)

Tonight’s 10 minutes

  1. Making sums equal: write numbers on cards in two groups and swap cards until both groups add to the same total.
  2. Add 2,45,380 + 1,32,457 in columns, lining up places.
  3. Subtract 5,00,000 − 2,34,567 and check by adding back.
  4. Estimate a trip’s fuel: a car uses about 45 litres a week. About how much in 4 weeks?

Words to use

  • estimate
  • sum
  • difference
  • regroup
  • check
  • about

Watch for

  • Misaligned columns with big numbers. Write numbers in a place-value grid before adding.
  • Borrowing across many zeros (5,00,000 − 2,34,567). Open one lakh step by step: each zero becomes 9, the last becomes 10.

What it sounds like at home

A short example of the conversation. Your words will differ; the questions are what matter.

You5,00,000 − 2,34,567. Where do we start?

Your childOnes. 0 minus 7: need to borrow.

YouFrom where?

Your childAll the way from the lakhs. The zeros become 9s.

YouAnswer?

Your child2,65,433. Check: add it back.

A game for this week: Equal sums swap

  1. Write 8 numbers on cards; split into two groups.
  2. Players take turns swapping one pair of cards.
  3. Goal: make both group totals equal in fewest swaps.
  4. Record the number of swaps; try to beat it.

A 5-day plan, 10 minutes a day

  1. Day 1Making sums equal puzzle.
  2. Day 2Add large numbers in columns.
  3. Day 3Subtract across zeros.
  4. Day 4Estimate fuel and distance.
  5. Day 5Equal sums swap game.

Everyday moments to practise

  • Trip distances and fuel costs.
  • Monthly bills added up.
  • Savings goals.
  • Cricket runs over a season.

Quick check

Ask these at the end of the week. Tap to see the answer.

2,45,380 + 1,32,457?

3,77,837.

5,00,000 − 2,34,567?

2,65,433.

Estimate 48,900 + 21,300.

About 70,000.

Ready for the next chapter when your child…

  • Adds and subtracts numbers to lakhs.
  • Estimates before calculating.
  • Checks by reverse operation.

Activities, wording and illustrations are Mathify Kids’ own, following the topics of NCERT’s Maths Mela (Class 5). See the full Class 5 parent guide for every chapter.

Questions parents ask

How big are numbers in this chapter?

Up to lakhs, in real contexts like fuel and travel.

How do I subtract from 5,00,000?

Regroup step by step; zeros become 9s and the last becomes 10.

Why estimate?

It catches big mistakes before you finish.