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KS1 Maths · Number and adding · Year 1

Number bonds to 10

Find all the pairs of numbers that make 10 — the key to quick adding.

About 15 minutes

Step 1 · Wonder why it matters

Hook

Ten fingers, ten friends

Hold up both hands. You have 10 fingers! Now fold down 3 fingers. How many are still standing up?

You should see 7. That means 3 and 7 are friends — together they make 10. Today we find all of the pairs that make 10.

Step 2 · See it

Picture

See the pairs

Each row below has 10 dots. Some are coloured and some are empty. The two parts always add up to 10.

Every row has 10 dots, split into two parts

Step 3 · Understand how it works

Logic

The pattern

Look at the pairs in order: 0 and 10, 1 and 9, 2 and 8, 3 and 7, 4 and 6, 5 and 5.

As one number goes up by 1, the other goes down by 1. That pattern helps you check you have not missed any pair.

Order does not matter when you add: 3 + 7 is the same as 7 + 3.

Number bond
Two numbers that add together to make a total.
Total
The number you get when you add everything together.

Worked example

What goes with 6 to make 10?

  1. 1Start at 6.
  2. 2Count on until you reach 10: 7, 8, 9, 10.
  3. 3That was 4 jumps.

Answer: 6 + 4 = 10

Step 4 · Have a go

Do

Have a go

You will need 10 small things, like buttons, pasta or Lego bricks.

  1. 1Put all 10 things in a line.
  2. 2Push some to one side. Count each group and say the bond out loud, like “4 and 6 make 10”.
  3. 3Do it again with a different split. Can you find all 6 different pairs?
  4. 4Ask a grown-up to say a number. Shout back its partner to make 10 as fast as you can.

Step 5 · Remember it

Recall

Quick quiz

Pick the answer you think is right. You will see why straight away.

0 of 4 answered

  1. 1.7 + ? = 10

  2. 2.Which pair makes 10?

  3. 3.There are 10 apples. 5 are eaten. How many are left?

  4. 4.10 − 1 = ?

Step 6 · Link it to your world

Reflect

Think about it

Number bonds are everywhere — in games, in shops and at snack time.

Where could you use a number bond to 10 at home or at school?

Saved to your notebook on this device only.

Finished all six steps?

Mark it complete to collect 3 stars. Next up: Halves and quarters.