Three Strategies to Solve 7 Plus 6

Khan Academy

This video presents a comprehensive tutorial on basic addition, specifically focusing on the problem 7 + 6. It demonstrates three distinct strategies to solve the equation, moving from concrete visual representations to more abstract mathematical concepts. The narrator first uses digital manipulatives (tomatoes and blueberries), then transitions to a number line approach, and finally introduces the concept of place value by grouping numbers to "make a ten." The key themes explored include one-to-one correspondence, counting on, using linear models for calculation, and the fundamental structure of teen numbers. The video places significant emphasis on decomposing numbers to facilitate mental math, specifically showing how 7 + 6 can be understood as (7 + 3) + 3, or 10 + 3. This conceptual bridge explains why the number 13 is written with a '1' in the tens place and a '3' in the ones place. For educators, this resource is highly valuable for bridging the gap between simple counting and computational fluency. It visualizes the "making ten" strategy, which is a critical standard in early elementary mathematics. Teachers can use this video to differentiate instruction, offering multiple entry points for students who learn best through visual aids, linear movement, or structural number sense.