Near doubles: Addition facts where the two numbers are consecutive (one apart)
- Identify the double fact (5 + 5 = 10)
- Notice that 6 is one more than 5
- Add one more to the double fact
- 10 + 1 = 11
5 + 6 is close to 5 + 5
5 + 5 = 10
Since 6 is one more than 5, add 1 to the double
10 + 1 = 11
5 + 6 = 11
• Near doubles strategy: Use known doubles facts
• Adjustment: Add or subtract based on difference
• Relationship: Understand number relationships
Doubles facts: Addition facts where both addends are the same (e.g., 7 + 7)
7 + 8 is close to 7 + 7
7 + 7 = 14
Since 8 is one more than 7, add 1 to the double
14 + 1 = 15
7 + 8 = 15
• Near doubles strategy: Use known doubles facts
• Adjustment: Add or subtract based on difference
• Memorization: Know basic doubles facts
Commutative property: Order of addends doesn't change the sum
6 + 5 is the same as 5 + 6, which is close to 5 + 5
5 + 5 = 10
Since 6 is one more than 5, add 1 to the double
10 + 1 = 11
6 + 5 = 11
• Commutative property: 6 + 5 = 5 + 6
• Near doubles strategy: Use known doubles facts
• Flexibility: Rearrange to use easier strategy
Near doubles facts: Addition facts where numbers differ by 1 (e.g., 8 + 9)
8 + 9 is close to 8 + 8
8 + 8 = 16
Since 9 is one more than 8, add 1 to the double
16 + 1 = 17
8 + 9 = 17
• Near doubles strategy: Use known doubles facts
• Adjustment: Add or subtract based on difference
• Pattern recognition: See the relationship between numbers
Consecutive numbers: Numbers that follow each other in order (like 3 and 4)
3 + 4 is close to 3 + 3
3 + 3 = 6
Since 4 is one more than 3, add 1 to the double
6 + 1 = 7
3 + 4 = 7
• Near doubles strategy: Use known doubles facts
• Adjustment: Add or subtract based on difference
• Basic facts: Master fundamental doubles
Double plus one: A near doubles strategy where one addend is one more than the other
9 + 10 is close to 9 + 9
9 + 9 = 18
Since 10 is one more than 9, add 1 to the double
18 + 1 = 19
9 + 10 = 19
• Double plus one: Add 1 to the double fact
• Pattern recognition: Notice consecutive numbers
• Mental math: Efficient calculation strategy
Near Doubles Strategy
Using Known Facts
Think: 5 + 5 = 10
Then: 10 + 1 = 11
Practice Makes Perfect!
This section provides a comprehensive overview of adding near doubles, including definitions, methods, strategies, and key concepts for 1st grade students.
Doubles Facts: Addition facts where both addends are the same (e.g., 4 + 4 = 8).
Near Doubles: Addition facts where the two numbers are consecutive (differ by 1).
Consecutive Numbers: Numbers that follow each other in order (like 5 and 6).
Double Plus One: A strategy where one addend is one more than the other.
• Use known doubles facts to solve near doubles
• If the second number is one more, add 1 to the double
• If the second number is one less, subtract 1 from the double
• Order doesn't matter (commutative property)
1. Look for consecutive numbers (differ by 1)
2. Identify the smaller number
3. Recall the double fact for that number
4. Add 1 to the double fact
5. Check your answer
Simple: 2 + 3 = 2 + 2 + 1 = 4 + 1 = 5
Medium: 6 + 7 = 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13
Advanced: 8 + 9 = 8 + 8 + 1 = 16 + 1 = 17
All follow the same pattern of double + 1.
• Master your doubles facts first
• Look for numbers that are next to each other
• Practice with visual aids like dominoes
• Use fingers if needed initially
• Confusing near doubles with other strategies
• Forgetting to adjust the double fact
• Not recognizing consecutive numbers
• Mixing up addition and subtraction
Questions & Answers
Question: What are near doubles? I heard about them in class but I'm not sure what they mean.
Answer: Great question! Near doubles are addition problems where the two numbers you're adding are next to each other on the number line - they're just one apart.
Here are some examples of near doubles:
- 4 + 5 (4 and 5 are next to each other)
- 7 + 8 (7 and 8 are next to each other)
- 2 + 3 (2 and 3 are next to each other)
The trick with near doubles is that you can use a doubles fact you already know and just add one more. For example, if you know that 4 + 4 = 8, then 4 + 5 is just one more, so 4 + 5 = 9.
It's like having a helper fact that makes addition faster!
Question: My child knows their doubles facts but struggles with near doubles. How can I help them connect these concepts?
Answer: This is a common challenge! Here are effective strategies to help your child connect doubles and near doubles:
- Visual aids: Use counters or manipulatives to show the relationship (e.g., 4 red + 4 blue = 8, then add 1 more blue to show 4 + 5 = 9)
- Explicit connection: Always say "We know 4 + 4 = 8, so 4 + 5 is just one more, which is 9"
- Pattern recognition: Practice with sequences like 3+3, 3+4, 4+4, 4+5 to see the patterns
- Games: Use dice, dominoes, or card games that emphasize the consecutive number relationship
- Verbal rehearsal: Have your child explain their thinking aloud
Start with smaller numbers and gradually increase difficulty. The key is helping them see that near doubles are just "doubles plus one" or "doubles minus one."
Consistent practice will strengthen these connections over time.
Question: Does it matter which number comes first in near doubles? Like is 7 + 8 the same as 8 + 7?
Answer: Yes, the answer is the same! This is called the "commutative property" of addition, which means you can add numbers in any order and get the same result.
So: 7 + 8 = 15 and 8 + 7 = 15
Both are near doubles, and you can use the same strategy:
- For 7 + 8: Think 7 + 7 = 14, then add 1 more = 15
- For 8 + 7: Think 7 + 7 = 14, then add 1 more = 15
Some kids find it easier to start with the smaller number, so they might prefer thinking of 7 + 8 as "7 + 7 + 1" rather than "8 + 8 - 1". Both ways work perfectly fine!
The important thing is that the sum stays the same no matter which order you add the numbers.