Friday, December 21, 2012

Subtraction Strategies - Mental Math

Dear Parents, we just finished learning how to subtract numbers up to 18 mentally (in our head).  Subtraction proved to be a bit more challenging than addition, so please review and practise these strategies with your children.  Many students have unfinished subtraction work, so I am sending it home to be completed over the holiday break.  Please help your child with applying the strategies, rather than focussing on getting the right answer. 
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Subtraction Strategy:
Counting back 1, 2, or 3

When subtracting 1, 2, or 3, start with the greater number and count back.

See:     10 - 2 =                          See:    11 - 3 =           
Think:  10 … 9, 8                    Think: 11 … 10, 9, 8

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Subtraction Strategy:
Zero Facts

When you take away all, 0 is left.

See:     7 - 7 =                      
Think:  Take away all, 0 is  left.          
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Subtraction Strategy:
Zero Facts

When you take away 0 from any number, the number stays the same.

See:     8 - 0 =       
Think:  Take away 0, leave all. 

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Subtraction Strategy:
Doubles

When you subtract half of a number, think of the doubles picture.

See:     14 - 7 =                        See:     10 - 5 =        
Think:  days in 2 weeks       Think: fingers on each hand     
                                               
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Subtraction Strategy:
Counting Up

When the numbers are close neighbours, 
count up.

See:     11 - 9 =                         
Think:  9…10, 11 à That’s 2.          
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Subtraction Strategy:
Think Addition


When subtracting from a teen number, think of the related addition fact.


See:     13 - 8 =                         
Think:  8 + 5 = 13 , so 13 – 8 = 5            

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