The Mathematics Syllabus aims at standardising the recording of the algorithms throughout New South Wales. However, there will still be some minimal variance within and among schools.
The following examples show the recommended method of recording the written algorithm for each of the four processes. These formats are not prescriptive, but are recommendations. In all cases, the ultimate aim is to arrive at the simplest (usually the shortest) form of recording the algorithm. A simplistic progression is shown for the development of each algorithm from kindergarten to Year 6.

Kindergarten/Year 1 - Concrete activities are recorded in number sentence form - first written recordings may possibly be made late in Kindergarten.
The same form of recording is used in Year 1 and Year 2. In Year 2, adding and subtracting without regrouping can be recorded in vertical form. Vertical recording continues through to Year 6, with regrouping and increased difficulty of examples. When subtracting, always start with the top number.