Number Bonds

Ways to use it in class

• Bonds to 10. Practice within 10 and ask for the missing part until the pairs come without counting.
• Fact families. From one bond, write the four facts: 6 + 4, 4 + 6, 10 − 6 and 10 − 4.
• Making ten to add. For 8 + 5, split 5 into 2 and 3: 8 and 2 make 10, and 3 more is 13.
• Bigger numbers. Within 100, split 47 into 40 and 7 to connect bonds with tens and ones.

Questions teachers ask

What is a number bond?

A picture of how a number splits into two parts: the whole in one circle, joined to two smaller circles that hold its parts. 7 joined to 4 and 3 says that 4 and 3 make 7, and that 7 take away 4 leaves 3.

Why do schools teach number bonds?

They show addition and subtraction as one idea. Once a child knows that 10 is 6 and 4, they also know 6 + 4, 4 + 6, 10 - 4 and 10 - 6, and the bonds to 10 become the stepping stones for adding bigger numbers.

What are the number bonds to 10?

The pairs of whole numbers that add up to 10: 0 and 10, 1 and 9, 2 and 8, 3 and 7, 4 and 6, and 5 and 5. Press New problem with the range set to 10 to practice them.

How do I make a number bonds worksheet?

Choose the range, press Worksheet to fill the page with 12 bonds that each have one empty circle, and press Print. Press Worksheet again for a new set.