[andyk]

I was thinking the same thing - it’s how I process numbers in my head, but it wasn’t taught, and I know other people use different methods.

[NativeSon]

Right, I know teaching how to think is tricky & necessary but bending others thought processes (in math) may not get you there. Math is pure, it is universal and that's probably why some like myself find it so appealing.

Side note, this reminded me of something from the 70's: "Chisanbob", remember those commercials?, I could swear Leonard Nimoy did them, my Brother & I to this day still do our chisanbob schtick...

[headsonpikes]

“I know other people use different methods.”

Exactly! Per the 26+17 example, my normal process would be to leap to 46-3=43.