A student needs to solve 6 + 7. Which strategy correctly uses the near-doubles approach?
ACount up from 6 seven times
BMemorize 6 + 7 as a separate fact with no connection to other facts
CUse 6 + 6 = 12, then add 1 more to get 13
DUse 7 + 7 = 14, then subtract 2 to get 12
6 + 7 is a near double: the addends differ by exactly 1. Since 6 + 6 = 12 (a double you already know), and 6 + 7 is just one more than 6 + 6, the answer is 12 + 1 = 13. Option D gets the arithmetic wrong (14 - 2 = 12, not 13). Option C is correct: use the lower double and add 1. This is the near-doubles strategy — using a memorized anchor to reach a nearby sum.
Question 2 Multiple Choice
Which pair of numbers is NOT a near-doubles problem?
A4 + 5
B7 + 8
C3 + 5
D9 + 10
Near doubles are pairs where the two numbers differ by exactly 1 (consecutive numbers): 4 + 5, 7 + 8, and 9 + 10 are all near doubles. 3 + 5 differs by 2, so it is not a near double — you cannot take the double of either number and simply add 1. The near-doubles strategy only applies when the addends are exactly one apart.
Question 3 True / False
The near-doubles strategy works because both addends are close to the same number, so you can use a known doubles fact and add just one more.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: True
This is the core insight. Near doubles (like 5 + 6) sit one step above a double (5 + 5 = 10). Instead of computing from scratch, you recall the double and add 1. This is a strategy — using something already memorized (doubles) to efficiently find something not yet automatic (near doubles).
Question 4 True / False
Doubles facts are harder to learn than other addition facts because both numbers are the same.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: False
Doubles are actually among the EASIEST addition facts because the visual symmetry — two equal groups — makes them natural to remember. Seeing two groups of 4 objects side by side makes 4 + 4 = 8 intuitive. That sameness helps doubles stick in memory. This is exactly why doubles are taught first and used as anchors for the near-doubles strategy.
Question 5 Short Answer
Explain in your own words why knowing 5 + 5 = 10 helps you solve 5 + 6 without counting.
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: 5 + 6 is a near double — the two numbers are one apart. Since 5 + 5 = 10 (a double I already know), and 5 + 6 is just one more than 5 + 5, the answer is 10 + 1 = 11. I use the double as a starting point and add 1, so I don't need to count from scratch.
This is the core of the near-doubles strategy: a memorized double serves as an anchor to quickly reach a nearby sum. The doubles fact is 'free' from memory; the near double requires only one extra step. This is much faster than counting all the way up and builds the mental arithmetic fluency that carries into later math.