Explain why you would make one of the addends a tens number when solving an addition problem

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When solving an addition problem, you might choose to make one of the addends a tens number for a few reasons:

1. Easier mental calculation: Working with tens numbers can often be easier for mental math. It allows for quicker estimation and computation, especially when dealing with larger numbers.

2. Place value understanding: By using a tens number, you can reinforce the concept of place value. It helps students grasp the idea that the position of a digit affects its value.

3. Simplifying regrouping: Introducing a tens number can make regrouping or carrying over simpler. It reduces the need for multiple regrouping steps and makes the addition process more efficient.

4. Real-life applications: In real-life situations, we often encounter numbers that are rounded to the nearest ten. Working with tens numbers during addition problems helps students relate the concept to everyday scenarios, such as calculating prices or quantities.

By incorporating tens numbers into addition problems, you can enhance computational and conceptual skills while boosting mental math ability.

When solving an addition problem, one of the addends is often made a tens number to make the calculation easier and more efficient. This strategy is commonly used because working with tens numbers is simpler and faster than working with numbers in the ones place.

To understand why this strategy is effective, it's important to note that our number system is based on a place value system. In this system, each digit's position in a number determines its value (ones, tens, hundreds, etc.). When we add two numbers together, we start by adding the digits in the ones place and then carry any extra tens to the next column.

By making one of the addends a tens number, we can leverage the properties of the place value system to simplify the calculation. Consider the following example:
Let's say we want to add 36 and 12 together. Instead of adding them directly, we can choose to make one of the addends a tens number. Let's make 12 a tens number by splitting it into 10 and 2. Now, our calculation becomes 36 + 10 + 2.

Adding 36 and 10 is much easier because we can simply combine the tens place (3 + 1), resulting in 40. Then, we add the ones place (6 + 2) to get 8. Therefore, the final answer is 40 + 8 = 48.

By making one addend a tens number, we eliminated the need for carrying and made the calculation simpler. This strategy allows us to break down complex problems into more manageable chunks and speeds up mental arithmetic. Additionally, it helps develop number sense and reinforces understanding of place value.