What is the Compensation Strategy?

The compensation strategy for subtraction is a technique used to simplify the subtraction of numbers, particularly when dealing with larger or more difficult numbers. It involves breaking down the subtraction problem into smaller, more manageable steps by using the concept of compensation.

The basic idea behind compensation is to add or subtract a convenient value to one or both of the numbers being subtracted in order to make the calculation easier. By adjusting the numbers in this way, you can create simpler subtraction problems that are easier to solve mentally or using basic arithmetic.

Subtracting Larger Numbers Just Got Easier!

This PowerPoint steps through the skills necessary to apply the compensation strategy successfully when subtracting numbers mentally. The presentation includes worked-out examples of rounding off numbers to a ten, with gradual release towards independent work.

The interactive animations in this teaching slide deck lead you and your students through the process step-by-step.

Easily modify this teaching presentation to suit the abilities of your class by duplicating slides and changing the numbers used in the examples.

Download and Teach!

This resource requires no prep! Simply click download and you’re ready to teach! Use the dropdown arrow on the download button to select the Google Slides or PowerPoint resource file you prefer.

Lindsey Phillips, a Teach Starter collaborator contributed to this resource.