Historical Figures

How do you work out Victorian sums?

Addition

To add two Victorian sums, simply line them up vertically and add the columns. For example:

```

£ s. d.

```

```

1 2 3

+4 5 6

```

```

5 7 9

```

Subtraction

To subtract one Victorian sum from another, simply line them up vertically and subtract the columns. For example:

```

£ s. d.

```

```

1 2 3

-4 5 6

```

```

-3 3 3

```

Multiplication

To multiply two Victorian sums, first multiply the pounds, then the shillings, and finally the pence. For example:

```

£ s. d.

```

```

1 2 3

x4 5 6

```

```

4 12 18

```

Division

To divide one Victorian sum by another, first divide the pounds, then the shillings, and finally the pence. For example:

```

£ s. d.

```

```

1 2 3

÷4 5 6

```

```

0 4 10

```

Fractions

Victorian sums could also include fractions. To add fractions, first find a common denominator. For example:

```

£ s. d.

```

```

1 2 3

+1/2

```

```

1 2 3 1/2

```

To subtract fractions, first find a common denominator. For example:

```

£ s. d.

```

```

1 2 3

-1/2

```

```

1 2 2 1/2

```

To multiply fractions, simply multiply the numerators and denominators. For example:

```

£ s. d.

```

```

1 2 3

x1/2

```

```

0 11 1 1/2

```

To divide fractions, simply invert the divisor and multiply. For example:

```

£ s. d.

```

```

1 2 3

÷1/2

```

```

2 4 6

```