🔢 Addition Strategies
Counting on is fastest when you keep the *larger* number in your head first, even if it is
▶ Play Door 6Addition Strategies
Addition is not just about writing columns on paper; it is also about finding clever shortcuts in your head! Addition strategies help you solve math problems mentally, quickly, and accurately without needing to count one-by-one on your fingers.
• Counting On from the Larger Number: Instead of starting from zero, keep the larger number in your head and count forward using the smaller number. For example, to solve 3 + 42, start at 42 and count up three times: 43, 44, 45.
• Compensation Strategy (Making a Ten): Zeros are easy to add! If a number is close to a friendly ten (like 9, 18, or 29), steal a small amount from the other number to turn it into a ten, then add the rest. For example, to solve 29 + 6, move 1 from the 6 over to the 29 to make it 30 + 5 = 35.
• Doubles and Near-Doubles Reinforcement: * Doubles are numbers added to themselves (like 6+6=12 or 8+8=16).
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Worked example
Problem: Use a near-doubles mental strategy to solve the addition expression: 6 + 7.
- Look at the two numbers. They are right next to each other on the number line.
- Recall your smaller doubles fact: 6 + 6 = 12.
- Since 7 is exactly 1 more than 6, add 1 to your doubles total.
Answer: 13