You now have four tools: doubles, near doubles, make ten, and take from ten.
Step 1: Let's Learn
Read it, or press Listen and follow the words.
Read the numbers first
Two numbers the same means a double. One apart means a near double. An 8 or 9 means make ten.
More than one road works
For 8 + 7 you could make ten or use the double 7 + 7. Both are good. Counting one by one is not.
Look before you calculate
By now you have several strategies: doubles, near doubles, making ten, taking from ten, and counting on. A skilled adder does not use the same one every time. They glance at the numbers first and choose. That glance takes a moment and saves far more.
What each pair of numbers is telling you
Same number twice? Use a double. One or two apart? Near double. One number is 8 or 9? Make ten. Adding 1, 2 or 3? Just count on — no strategy needed. Subtracting from a teen number with a big subtrahend? Take from ten. The numbers themselves signal which tool fits.
There is no single right method
Two children can solve 7 + 8 differently and both be correct — one through 7 + 7 = 14 then add one, the other through making ten. Maths allows more than one good path. What matters is that your path is reliable and that you can explain it.
Step 2: Try It Yourself
Tap and try it out.
First ten
The rest
8 needs 2 more to make ten. Take 2 from the 7.
Step 3: Watch an Example
One step at a time.
Watch Ana Choose
Ana is given three facts: 6 + 6, 9 + 4, and 7 + 8.
- Step 1
For 6 + 6 she sees equal numbers and calls it a double.
Step 4: Your Turn
Practice makes it stick.
The Shop
Problem 1 of 2
A pen costs 9 pence and a rubber costs 7. What do they cost together?
pence
The Garden
Problem 2 of 2
Ana planted 6 seeds and Leo planted 7. How many seeds did they plant?
seeds
Which Strategy?
Name the strategy that fits the numbers best.
1 of 4
Which strategy fits 9 + 5 best?
2 of 4
Which strategy fits 7 + 7 best?
3 of 4
8 + 6 = ?
4 of 4
13 − 8 = ?
Step 5: Quick Check
Show what you know.
Question 1 of 2
9 + 7 = ?
Question 2 of 2
Which strategy fits 6 + 7 best?
What You Learned
- Look at the numbers before you start working.
- Equal numbers mean a double. An 8 or 9 means make ten.
- More than one strategy can be right. Counting one by one is the slow one.