Addition and Subtraction Strategies

Basic Facts

Basic Addition Fact Strategies

  1. “Zero the Hero” – any number + zero is the same number
  2. “Count On 1,2,3” – When adding any number plus a small number such as 1, 2, or 3, start with the larger number and count on to find the sum
  3. “Doubles” – adding 2 of the same numbers… kids memorize the combinations
  4. “Doubles +1” – adding a near double (ie. 7+8)... double the smaller number and add one more to the sum
  5. “Make a 10” – some number go together and make the number 10 such as 8 and 2, 7 and 3, etc… kids learn to recognize these facts
  6. “Nifty 9’s”  - when adding 9 and another number… take one away from the other number to make the 9 into a ten, then add the easier problem. (ie. 9+7 becomes 10+6, an easier problem)
  7. “Easy 8’s” – similar to above, when adding an 8 with another number… take 2 away from the other number to make the 8 into a ten, then add the easier problem.  (ie. 8+6 become 10+4)

If using flash cards, have student first determine what type of problem it is, then they can try to solve. 

Example:  7+6…  doubles +1  … the answer is 13.

  

Basic Subtraction Fact Strategies

  1. “Zero the Hero” – any number minus zero will be the same number.
  2. “Take it All”  - any number minus the same number is 0
  3. “Count back 1,2,3” – when minusing a small number such as 1, 2, or 3, start with the bigger number and count backwards
  4. “Doubles” – use the double addition facts to help with related minus problems (ie. 18-9=    or 14-7=  think of the double + facts)
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