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Near doubles addition

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Near doubles addition

Solve near doubles by adjusting a known double.

Quick answer

Near doubles addition means adding two numbers that are close to each other, like 6 + 7 or 9 + 8. You can solve these quickly by using a double you already know and then adjusting it by one.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to add two numbers that are close together by using a double you already know and adjusting it by one. Success signs:

You can quickly add numbers like 5 + 6 or 8 + 9 using your knowledge of doubles
You can explain how you changed a double to get the answer
You can solve near doubles problems without counting on your fingers
You can use near doubles to solve bigger addition problems

Why this matters

Near doubles addition helps you add numbers faster and easier. When you know your doubles (like 5 + 5 = 10 or 7 + 7 = 14), you can use that knowledge to quickly solve problems that are just one more or one less than a double. This skill helps you in school maths, when you're playing games, or even when you're sharing snacks with friends.

How it works

To solve near doubles addition:

First, think of a double that is close to your numbers
Then, add or subtract one to make it match your problem
Finally, write down the answer

For example, if you want to solve 6 + 7:

Think of the double 6 + 6 = 12
Since 7 is one more than 6, add one more to 12
So 6 + 7 = 13

Examples you can see

Here are some examples of near doubles addition problems and how to solve them:

Problem	Double you use	Adjustment	Answer
4 + 5	4 + 4 = 8	+ 1	9
8 + 9	8 + 8 = 16	+ 1	17
3 + 4	3 + 3 = 6	+ 1	7
7 + 6	6 + 6 = 12	+ 1	13
9 + 10	9 + 9 = 18	+ 1	19

Let's look at a few more examples using drawings to help you see how this works. Example 1: You have 5 apples and your friend gives you 6 more apples.

Think: 5 + 5 = 10 (that's a double)
But you have 6 apples, so you have one more than 5
So: 10 + 1 = 11 apples

Example 2: You have 8 toy cars and your brother has 7 toy cars.

Think: 8 + 8 = 16 (that's a double)
But your brother has one less than 8
So: 16 - 1 = 15 cars

Try it as a mini adventure

The Near Doubles Treasure Hunt You are on a treasure hunt! To find the treasure, you need to solve these clues. Each clue gives you a near doubles problem to solve. Clue 1: The number of stars on the first flag is 6, and the number of stars on the second flag is 7. How many stars are there altogether?

Think of the double: 6 + 6 = 12
Since 7 is one more than 6, add one more: 12 + 1 = 13

Clue 2: The treasure chest has 9 gold coins, and the nearby pile has 8 gold coins. How many gold coins are there in total?

Think of the double: 8 + 8 = 16
Since 9 is one more than 8, add one more: 16 + 1 = 17

Clue 3: You have 4 stickers and your friend has 5 stickers. How many stickers do you have altogether?

Think of the double: 4 + 4 = 8
Since 5 is one more than 4, add one more: 8 + 1 = 9

Clue 4: There are 10 butterflies in the garden, and 9 more butterflies fly in. How many butterflies are there now?

Think of the double: 9 + 9 = 18
Since 10 is one more than 9, add one more: 18 + 1 = 19

Clue 5: You have 3 pencils and your friend gives you 4 more. How many pencils do you have?

Think of the double: 3 + 3 = 6
Since 4 is one more than 3, add one more: 6 + 1 = 7

If you solved all the clues correctly, you found the treasure! The numbers you found were: 13, 17, 9, 19, and 7.

Common mistakes

Mistake: Thinking that 5 + 6 = 10 because 5 + 5 = 10
- Why it happens: Forgetting that 6 is one more than 5, so you need to add one more to the double
- How to fix: Remember to always check if the second number is one more or one less than the first number
Mistake: Subtracting instead of adding when the second number is one more
- Why it happens: Mixing up the direction of adjustment
- How to fix: Always think: "Is the second number bigger or smaller than the first?" If it's bigger, add; if it's smaller, subtract
Mistake: Not knowing your doubles well
- Why it happens: Not practicing doubles enough
- How to fix: Practice doubles like 1 + 1, 2 + 2, 3 + 3, and so on, until you know them without thinking

Parent and carer guide

How to help your child learn near doubles addition You can help your child by:

Practicing doubles at home, like 2 + 2, 5 + 5, 8 + 8
Using everyday situations to practice, like "You have 3 cookies, and I give you 4 more. How many cookies do you have?"
Playing games where you ask near doubles questions, like "What is 7 + 8?"
Encouraging them to explain their thinking, like "How did you solve that?"
Not worrying if they make mistakes at first - this is part of learning!

What to say:

"Let's think about what double you know that's close to this problem"
"Is the second number one more or one less than the first?"
"Can you show me with your fingers or blocks?"

What not to worry about:

They might take a little longer at first - that's normal
They might make mistakes - that's how they learn
They might not get all the answers right away - practice makes progress

Practice questions

What is 4 + 5?
What is 7 + 8?
What is 9 + 10?
What is 3 + 4?
What is 6 + 7?
What is 8 + 9?
What is 5 + 6?
What is 2 + 3?
What is 10 + 11?
What is 1 + 2?

Answers:

FAQ

What is near doubles addition?

Near doubles addition means adding two numbers that are very close to each other, like 5 + 6 or 8 + 9. You solve them by using a double you already know and adjusting it by one.

Why do we use near doubles?

We use near doubles because they help us add numbers quickly and easily. If you know your doubles well, you can solve near doubles problems without counting on your fingers.

How can I practice near doubles at home?

You can practice by asking questions like "What is 6 + 7?" or "What is 9 + 10?". You can also use objects like blocks or counters to show the problem and solve it.

Do I need to know all the doubles to do near doubles?

It helps to know some doubles well, especially the smaller ones like 1 + 1, 2 + 2, 3 + 3, and so on. The more doubles you know, the easier it is to solve near doubles problems.

Can I use near doubles for bigger numbers?

Yes! You can use near doubles for any numbers, not just small ones. For example, 25 + 26 = 51 because 25 + 25 = 50, and 26 is one more than 25.