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Math Grade 2-3 Answer Key

Adding and Subtracting Mentally

Use friendly numbers, doubles, and place value to solve in your head

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Adding and Subtracting Mentally

Use friendly numbers, doubles, and place value to solve in your head

Math - Grade 2-3

Instructions: Solve each problem mentally. Write the answer and the strategy you used when asked.
  1. 1

    Find 27 + 10 in your head. Write the answer.

    Count up one ten from 27.

    27 + 10 = 37. Adding 10 increases the tens digit by 1 and keeps the ones digit the same.
  2. 2

    Find 46 - 10 in your head. Write the answer.

    46 - 10 = 36. Subtracting 10 decreases the tens digit by 1 and keeps the ones digit the same.
  3. 3

    Use a make-ten strategy to solve 8 + 7.

    Make 8 into 10 first.

    8 + 7 = 15. You can move 2 from 7 to 8 to make 10, then add the 5 left over to get 15.
  4. 4

    Solve 35 + 4 mentally.

    35 + 4 = 39. Add the 4 ones to the 5 ones to get 9 ones, so the answer is 39.
  5. 5

    Solve 63 - 5 mentally.

    Break 5 into 3 and 2.

    63 - 5 = 58. You can subtract 3 to reach 60, then subtract 2 more to get 58.
  6. 6

    Find 24 + 6. Explain the quick way you used.

    Think about how many more are needed to reach 30.

    24 + 6 = 30. A quick way is to know that 24 needs 6 more to make the friendly number 30.
  7. 7

    Find 50 - 7 in your head.

    50 - 7 = 43. You can subtract 5 to get 45, then subtract 2 more to get 43.
  8. 8

    Use doubles to solve 6 + 7.

    Start with the double 6 + 6.

    6 + 7 = 13. Since 6 + 6 = 12, one more makes 13.
  9. 9

    Solve 42 + 18 mentally. Show how you can make a friendly number.

    Make 42 into 50 first.

    42 + 18 = 60. You can take 8 from 18 to make 42 into 50, then add the 10 left over to get 60.
  10. 10

    Solve 75 - 20 mentally.

    75 - 20 = 55. Subtracting 2 tens from 7 tens leaves 5 tens, and the 5 ones stay the same.
  11. 11

    Mia has 32 stickers. She gets 9 more stickers. How many stickers does she have now? Use a mental math strategy.

    Try making 40 first.

    Mia has 41 stickers now. You can add 8 to 32 to make 40, then add 1 more to get 41.
  12. 12

    A bus has 48 people on it. At the next stop, 6 people get off. How many people are on the bus now?

    There are 42 people on the bus now. 48 - 6 = 42 because subtracting 6 ones from 8 ones leaves 2 ones.
  13. 13

    Find 29 + 14 mentally. Explain your strategy.

    Make 29 into 30 first.

    29 + 14 = 43. You can add 1 to 29 to make 30, then add the remaining 13 to get 43.
  14. 14

    Find 84 - 19 mentally. Explain your strategy.

    Subtract 20, then fix the answer.

    84 - 19 = 65. You can subtract 20 from 84 to get 64, then add 1 back because you subtracted 1 too many.
  15. 15

    Choose the easier way to solve 57 + 23 mentally, then write the answer.

    57 + 23 = 80. One easy way is to add 20 to 57 to get 77, then add 3 more to get 80.
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