Adding One-Digit Numbers (< 5) 2

Directions: Using the digits 1 to 5, at most one time each, fill in the boxes to create a true number sentences with the greatest possible sum.

Hint

What is the largest sum you could have?
What are the largest addends you could use?
What’s an example of addends you couldn’t use? Why not?

Answer

Because the digits are limited to 1 to 5, the largest sum you could make is 5. That results in:

1 + 4 = 5
4 + 1 = 5
3 + 2 = 5
2 + 3 = 5

This gives you an opportunity to talk about the commutative property of addition (for example: 1 + 4 = 4 + 1) and how there are bigger sums if you use digits beyond 1 to 5.

Source: Robert Kaplinsky

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6 comments

  1. Kimberly Robertson

    I’m excited to give these to my daughter tomorrow. She’s in kindergarten and very bored with the “one more, one less” worksheets that get sent home. I printed off some of the addition and subtraction timed tests (that I don’t think anyone should ever give in an actual timed setting, but they’re still out there for kids who are hungry for any kind of math), but she got bored with those too.

    I’m hoping the extra thinking involved in Open Middle problems will keep her entertained and loving math!

  2. Hope I haven’t missed something here, but couldn’t you use 4 and 3 to make a sum of 7?

  3. Merry Murray Meade

    I would love to use this for a morning question. On the board as families come in to school one of the next few mornings]

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