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Compensation in Addition — Let's Practise!

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Basics on the topic Compensation in Addition — Let's Practise!

Compensation in Addition – Introduction

Get a piece of paper and a pencil ready because today we're going to practise something called compensation in addition. It’s a cool trick that makes adding numbers easier and faster. Ready to begin? Let's go!

Understanding Compensation in Addition – Definition

Compensation in addition means adjusting one number to make the maths easier, and then doing the opposite adjustment to the other number.

For example, if you add one to a number to make it easier, you subtract one from the other number to keep the balance. You will see that using number bonds to 10 will prove to be very helpful here! Let’s practise this with some fun problems!

What does compensation in addition mean?
What must you remember to do when you use compensation in addition?
Why do we use compensation in addition?

Compensation in Addition – Example

Let's solve a problem using compensation in addition:

Problem

If Mr. Squeaks has 29 blue flowers and 25 red ones, how many does he have in total?

Solution

Follow these simple steps to find the solution.

Step Explanation Result
Choose which number to make friendlier Let's make 29 friendlier
Add to the friendlier number Add 1 to 29 29 + 1 = 30
Adjust the other number Subtract 1 from 25 to keep the balance 25 - 1 = 24
Add the new numbers Add 30 and 24 30 + 24 = 54

So, Mr. Squeaks has 54 flowers in total!

Compensation in Addition – Guided Practice

Let's try another problem together.

Problem

If Imani has 34 screws and 27 nails, how many are there all together?

So, Imani has 61 screws and nails in total!

Compensation in Addition – Application

Now, try solving this problem on your own:

Problem If Mr. Squeaks has 58 red marshmallows and 32 blue ones, how many does he have altogether?

What number can you make friendlier?
What is 60 + 30?

So, Mr. Squeaks has 90 marshmallows in total!

Compensation in Addition – Examples

To be truly fluent in compensation in addition, have a look at some more examples and complete them by following the steps.

Problem Step 1: Make a Number Friendlier Step 2: Adjust the Other Number Step 3: Add the New Numbers Solution
29 + 25 Add 1 to 29 to make it 30 Subtract 1 from 25 to make it 24 30 + 24 54
34 + 27 Add 1 to 34 to make it 35 Subtract 1 from 27 to make it 26 35 + 26 61
58 + 32 Add 2 to 58 to make it 60 Subtract 2 from 32 to make it 30 60 + 30 90

Compensation in Addition – Summary

Key Learnings from this Text:

  • Compensation in addition makes adding numbers easier and faster.
  • Adjust one number to make it friendlier, and do the opposite adjustment to the other number.
  • Always remember to balance your adjustments.

Keep practising compensation in addition to become a maths whiz! Check out more fun maths problems and activities on our website, especially try out using compensation in subtraction.

Compensation in Addition – Frequently Asked Questions

What is compensation in addition?
How do you use compensation in addition?
Why is compensation in addition helpful?
Can you give an example of compensation in addition?
What should you remember when using compensation in addition?
What is a "friendlier" number?
How do you balance your adjustments in compensation in addition?
Is compensation in addition used only in maths?
Can compensation in addition be used for subtraction?
Where can I practise more compensation in addition problems?

Transcript Compensation in Addition — Let's Practise!

Razzi says get a piece of paper and a pencil ready because today we're going to practise compensation in addition! It's time to begin! Compensation is something given in return for something. Remember, when using compensation in addition, whatever you add to one number you must do the opposite for the other number. Let's practise! If Mr. Squeaks has twenty-nine blue flowers and twenty-five red ones, how many does he have in total? Start by choosing which number to make friendlier, or easier to add. Don't forget, whatever you do to one number you must do the opposite to the other. Here, you can take one from twenty-five and add it to twenty-nine to make thirty. Did you also get fifty-four? Let's tackle the next problem! If Imani has thirty-four screws and twenty-seven nails, how many items do they have altogether? Don't forget, whatever you do to one number you must do the opposite to the other. Here, you can take one from twenty-seven and add it to thirty-four to make thirty-five. Did you also get sixty-one? Let's tackle the next problem! If Mr. Squeaks has fifty-eight red marshmallows and thirty-two blue ones, how many does he have in total? Don't forget, whatever you do to one number you must do the opposite to the other. Here, you can take two from thirty-two and add it to fifty-eight to make sixty. Did you also get ninety? Razzi had so much fun practising with you today! See you next time!

Compensation in Addition — Let's Practise! exercise

Would you like to apply the knowledge you’ve learnt? You can review and practice it with the tasks for the video Compensation in Addition — Let's Practise!.
  • What is compensation in addition?

    Hints

    Whatever you do to one number, you must do the opposite to the other number.

    One is compensated on each side to make 29 + 25 friendlier, or easier, to add.

    Solution

    Compensation is something given in return for something.

    For example, here we added 1 to 29 to make 30, therefore we must subtract 1 from 25 to compensate.

  • How can we use compensation to add 18 + 12?

    Hints

    Use a pencil and paper to work on this problem.

    • What has been added to 18 to make 20?
    • What has been subtracted from 12 to make 10?
    Solution

    The correct answer is 2.

    To make it easier to add the numbers, we can use compensation to change the question to 20 + 10 by:

    • Adding 2 to 18. 18 + 2 = 20
    • Subtracting 2 from 12. 12 - 2 = 10
  • How many pieces of fruit does Kayla have altogether?

    Hints

    What number do you add to 49 to equal 50?

    What number do you subtract from 33 to equal 32?

    Solution

    Kayla has 82 pieces of fruit altogether.

  • Complete the addition problem.

    Hints

    What number do you add to 48 to equal 50?

    What number do you subtract from 22 to equal 20?

    Solution

    The completed problem is shown here.

  • How can we use compensation to add 29 + 25?

    Hints

    What number do you add to 29 to get 30?

    What number do you subtract from 25 to get 24?

    Solution

    The correct answer is 1.

    To make it easier to add the numbers, we can use compensation to change the question to 30 + 24 by:

    • Adding 1 to 29. 29 + 1 = 30
    • Subtracting 1 from 25. 25 - 1 = 24
  • Solve the problems using compensation in addition.

    Hints

    Use this image to help you with the first question.

    What number do you add to 9 to equal 10?

    What number do you subtract from 11 to equal 10?

    Keep using compensation to solve the other problems.

    What can you add or subtract to one number so it ends with a 0? Make sure you do the opposite to the other number.

    Solution

    Here we can see how we can use compensation to solve 9 + 11.

    • If we add 1 to 9, we get 10.
    • If we subtract 1 from 11, we get 10.
    • We can then add 10 + 10 to get 20.
    • 9 + 11 = 20
    ____________________________________________________
    • 28 + 25 = 53
    • 47 + 17 = 64
    • 55 + 21 = 76