7 min · Age 7-8
Bridging through 10
Subtract by making a friendly ten.
Bridging back through ten breaks a subtraction into two easier hops: 13 − 5 becomes 13 − 3 − 2. It mirrors making ten in addition and usually arrives around ages six to eight, once bonds to ten are automatic.
Play this lesson with narration →pictorial
The problem: 13 − 5
3 filled after bridging
Thirteen minus five. We can break it up. Take three away first to get to ten. Then take two more. Ten minus two is eight.
abstract
Write the strategy
13 − 5 = 13 − 3 − 2 = 10 − 2 = 8
Thirteen minus three is ten. Ten minus two is eight. So thirteen minus five is eight.
tryit
Your turn
8 filled / 2 empty
Fifteen minus seven. Bridge through ten.
Try it: 15 − 7 = ?
What parents should watch for
- Subtracting down to ten and then forgetting the remaining hop.
- Splitting the subtrahend incorrectly, e.g. taking 5 straight off 13 by counting back inaccurately.
- Counting back on fingers past ten and losing the place.
- Using the strategy when counting back one or two would have been quicker.
Practise it in Yaze
Land 38 · Strategy Springs — 10 levels for ages 4–8 in the addition & subtraction strand.
Ready to practice?
Play Strategy Springs in the Yaze Adventure Map — games built on this exact skill.
Start free