Track Two Different Changes in a Story
Write the starting amount, add or subtract the first change, then use that result for the second change.
About 20 minutes, plus any extended practice
Supplied materials
- Paper and a pencil; drawing and spoken explanations are welcome. An adult may read directions and options aloud.
- Supplied worked-case record: A club has 45 cards, receives 18, and gives away 27.
- All quantities and shape descriptions are supplied in the worked example and questions; no purchase or personal information is needed.
Learn the idea
A two-step story has an intermediate amount after its first change. Keep the changes in the stated order and label each total. A join may be followed by a removal; doing only one operation leaves the story unfinished. The units should stay the same throughout.
Write the starting amount, add or subtract the first change, then use that result for the second change. Label the intermediate and final amounts. Check by reversing both changes in reverse order.
Write the intermediate total between the two operations. A result after the first change is not the final answer. Draw two arrows between three boxes labeled start, intermediate, and final.
- Draw two arrows between three boxes labeled start, intermediate, and final.
- Follow the worked example. Point to each number or shape feature and say what it tells you.
- Write the starting amount, add or subtract the first change, then use that result for the second change.
- Try the question and then the three practice questions. Check your answers and explain any change you make.
See the method in action
A club has 45 cards, receives 18, and gives away 27. After receiving, it has 63; after giving away, 36 remain. Checking 36+27−18=45 returns to the start. The eighteen received cards must be included before calculating the final amount. Write the intermediate total between the two operations. A result after the first change is not the final answer. Draw two arrows between three boxes labeled start, intermediate, and final.
Check your reasoning
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Helpful tips
- Write the intermediate total between the two operations.
- A result after the first change is not the final answer.
See the answer and explanation
33
Track the received amount first, then remove the cards given away. The result is 33.
Take it further
Start with 72, remove 19, then add 24. Expected: 77.
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More practice: try new cases
Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.
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Check the subject sources
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