Max Maths, Year 6, Learn together, Mental addition and subtraction (3)

In 'Max Maths, Year 6', students are encouraged to enhance their mental arithmetic skills, particularly focusing on mental addition and subtraction strategies. In one exercise, they are tasked with finding the difference between two numbers, 645 and 213, without writing anything down. Instead of the traditional method of subtraction, the exercise introduces an alternative approach using addition, as demonstrated by a character named Jade.

Jade's method involves starting with the smaller number, 213, and incrementally adding hundreds, tens, and ones until she reaches the larger number, 645. She begins by adding hundreds (100 + 100 + 100 + 100) to move from 213 to 613. Then, she adds tens (10 + 10 + 10) to advance to 643. Finally, Jade adds ones (1 + 1) to arrive at the target number, 645. By summing the hundreds (400), tens (30), and ones (2) she added, Jade calculates the difference to be 432. This innovative technique not only helps students find the difference between two numbers but also strengthens their understanding of place value and mental calculation skills.