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Subtraction to Addition Strategies

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Subtraction to Addition Strategies

At the sailing club, the crew uses addition to check how many boats, supplies and points are missing. Solve each challenge. For subtraction, think: “What must I add to the smaller number to reach the larger number?” Show a jump or equation where asked.

Part A: Find the difference by counting up

Use addition to bridge from the smaller number to the larger number. A number line can help you organise your jumps.

1.The sailing club has 423 life jackets and 58 are being checked. How many are not being checked? Write a matching addition equation to check your answer.

2.Oliver counts 512 flags in storage. The club takes 67 flags to the regatta. How many flags remain? Use a counting-up strategy and show at least two jumps.

3.Tui’s crew has 684 points and Isla’s crew has 29 fewer. How many points does Isla’s crew have? Choose the addition equation that checks the subtraction.

655 + 29 = 684
684 + 29 = 713
655 + 684 = 1,339
29 + 684 = 655

4.A sailing route is 731 metres long. The crew has sailed 46 metres. How many metres are left? Fill the blank to make a checking equation: + 46 = 731.

Part B: Choose a useful way to bridge

Break the difference into friendly jumps, or use a written subtraction and check it with addition.

5.The club has 642 metres of rope. A repair uses 357 metres. How many metres remain? Write the subtraction and its addition check.

6.There are 815 seats along the harbour for race day. If 468 are occupied, how many are empty? Explain how counting up from 468 helps you find the answer.

7.Isla says 739 − 284 = 555 because 284 + 555 = 739. Is Isla correct? Choose the best explanation.

Yes; the addition check is correct.
No; 284 + 555 = 839, so the difference is too large.
No; subtraction cannot be checked with addition.
Yes; any answer ending in 5 is correct.

8.A regatta started with 903 competitors. After some competitors withdrew, 576 remained. How many withdrew? Complete the statement: 576 + = 903.

Part C: The sailing-club supply puzzle

Use the relationship between addition and subtraction to solve each situation. Remember to check your answer.

9.The club’s storage box had 2,346 signal flares. After using some, 789 remain. How many flares were used? Write an addition equation that checks your result.

10.The club needs 4,123 safety tags for its boats and has already prepared 1,256. How many more tags are needed? Show a counting-up route using friendly numbers.

11.The sailing club recorded 5,678 points across its events. The junior crews earned 2,345 points. How many points did the other crews earn? Decide whether this statement is true or false: “The answer can be checked by adding the two groups of points.”

TrueFalse

12.The club planned 7,812 minutes of training for a season. It has completed 3,459 minutes. How many minutes are still planned? Solve, then write an addition equation to prove your answer.