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Addition and subtraction within 20

Add and subtract within 20 using strategies such as making ten, decomposing a number leading to ten, and using known facts

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What a learner can do afterwards

  • Solve 8 + 6 using making ten: 8 + 2 + 4 = 14
  • Solve 13 − 4 by decomposing: 13 − 3 − 1 = 9
  • Use a known fact (8 + 4 = 12) to derive 12 − 8 = 4

The lesson

You already know your facts up to 10, like 8 + 2 or 6 − 3. Now you can use those same facts to solve bigger problems, all the way up to 20. The trick is to build a bridge through 10.

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8 + 6: hop 2 to land on 10, then hop 4 more to land on 14.
Try it together

Mia has 13 stickers and gives 4 to her friend. She takes away 3 first to land on 10, then 1 more to land on 9. So 13 − 4 = 9.

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Good to know

Addition and subtraction facts are partners. If you know 8 + 4 = 12, you already know 12 − 8 = 4 and 12 − 4 = 8, without counting at all.

Bridge through 10 to add or subtract, or use a fact you already know.

Watch it

Where it sits

Where this leads

Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.

Then practise

8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.

Addition and subtraction within 20 · Mathematics, ages 6 to 7 · LightMySky