Make Ten Addition Subtraction Strategy

Common Core: 1.OA.6

Learning Targets:

• I can add and subtract within 10 easily.
• I can add and subtract by making 10. (e.g. 7 + 3 = 10, 10 - 6 = 4)

The following diagrams show the Make Ten Subtraction Strategy. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions.

Printable & Online Addition Worksheets

Mental Math Strategies: Break Down To 10

How to use mental strategies to subtract within 20 using the “break down to 10” strategy?

This is one of the strategies suggested in the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, 1.OA.6 and 2.OA.2.

With practice, this strategy can help students gain fluency when subtracting within 20. Eventually students will memorize these facts, which is expected by the end of grade 2.

Example:
14 - 9 = 14 - 4 - 5 = 10 - 5 = 5
15 - 7 = 15 - 5 - 2 = 10 - 2 = 8
17 - 8 = 17 - 7 - 1 = 10 - 1 = 9

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Make 10 Subtraction Strategy

Example:
11 - 6 = 11 - 1 - 5 = 10 - 5 = 5
13 - 9 = 13 - 3 - 6 = 10 - 6 = 4
17 - 8 = 17 - 7 - 1 = 10 - 1 = 9
14 - 7 = 14 - 4 - 3 = 10 - 3 = 7

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Subtraction With The Make A Ten Strategy

Example:
12 - 9 = 12 - 2 - 7 = 10 - 7 = 3

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Using Ten: a Mental Math Subtraction Strategy

Using Ten is a mental math strategy that involves changing a number to ten and then adjusting the answer. Because “10” is generally an easier number to work with, this simplifies the equation making it easier to solve.

Example:
13 - 8 = 10 - 8 + 3 = 5

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