Subtraction with compensation is a strategy where we adjust one or both numbers to make the subtraction easier. By doing this, we avoid regrouping and work with friendlier numbers, but the difference (answer) stays the same.
We can add or subtract the same amount from both numbers without changing the result. This makes the subtraction easier.
We use compensation by changing the second number (the number being subtracted) into a friendly number, like a multiple of 10 or 100. To keep the subtraction fair, we adjust the first number the same way.
Compensation works because we adjust both numbers equally, keeping the difference the same while making subtraction faster and simpler.
Here are subtraction problems solved step by step using compensation:
When the second number is just below a multiple of 10 or 100, compensation makes subtraction much easier.
We use compensation to simplify subtraction. Instead of regrouping or subtracting tricky numbers, we adjust them to friendlier ones.
Compensation is most useful when the number you subtract is close to a friendly number like 10, 100, or 1,000.