Question

I need help teaching my 2nd grader how to come up with the answer. Easy for an adult..difficult to explain to a child.

I am thinking of 2 numbers who sum is 15.
One of the numbers is 9 more than the other. Got the 12 plus 3 part. Help me explain it in its simplest terms

Answers

Ms. Sue
I'd use counters -- like M & Ms or pennies.

cristina
That is my thought but how do I pose the question? I took a deck of cards for counters and tried to figure out how to go about it.
cristina
THANK YOU by the way!
Ms. Sue
Put out 15 objects.

Then have your child take 9 of them away.

How many are left?
cristina
that's not the answer. its how to get her to 12 is 9 more than 3 that equals 15
Reiny
start with your 15 objects
take 1 away, the pile left is 14 more than what she took away, and 14-1=13
take 2 away, the pile left is 13 more than what she took away, and 13-2=11
take 3 away, the pile left is 12 more than what she took away, and 12-3=9

ahhh, one is 3, the other is 12


for yourself:

x+y = 15
x-y = 9
add them
2x = 24
x=12 , then y = 3

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