High School

Fill in the missing numbers to find [tex]\(186 - 58\)[/tex].

[tex]\[
\begin{array}{l}
186 - 58 = 186 - 60 + \square \\
186 - 58 = \square
\end{array}
\][/tex]

Submit your answer.

Answer :

To solve the subtraction problem [tex]\(186 - 58\)[/tex] using the compensation method, follow these steps:

1. Identify a Round Number: Notice that 58 is close to 60, which is a round number. Rounding makes calculation easier.

2. Adjust the Numbers: Instead of subtracting 58 directly, first subtract 60 from 186:
[tex]\[
186 - 60 = 126
\][/tex]
By doing this, you are temporarily subtracting too much.

3. Compensate for the Difference: Since you subtracted 2 more than needed (because 60 is 2 more than 58), you'll need to add back that extra 2:
[tex]\[
126 + 2 = 128
\][/tex]

4. Combine the Steps: Now, put it all together using the compensation method:
[tex]\[
186 - 58 = 186 - 60 + 2 = 126 + 2 = 128
\][/tex]

5. Verify the Solution: Check to ensure that these calculations are accurate. Therefore, [tex]\(186 - 58\)[/tex] simplifies to 128 when using compensation.

In summary, to fill in the missing numbers:
- [tex]\(186 - 60 + \square\)[/tex] results in [tex]\(\square = 2\)[/tex].
- The final answer for [tex]\(186 - 58\)[/tex] is [tex]\(128\)[/tex].

These steps show how the compensation method makes subtraction easier by rounding and adjusting the numbers.