Number Bonds to 10

Learn the pairs of numbers that add to make 10.

  • Define and explain Number Bonds to 10 in your own words
  • Use key terms such as Sum accurately
  • Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
  • Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic

This lesson focuses on Number Bonds to 10: learn the pairs of numbers that add to make 10.

Definition: Number Bonds to 10

Learn the pairs of numbers that add to make 10.

Key ideas

Counting all

Put two groups together and count everything from the start to find the total. This works well with small numbers and real objects like beads or blocks.

Counting on and back

Start from the first number and count on for addition, or count back for subtraction. This is much quicker than counting everything from 1 each time.

Key term — Sum: The answer when you add numbers together. The sum of 4 and 6 is 10.

Shopping with coins

Lila has 7 pennies. Her grandma gives her 6 more. Then she spends 4 pennies. How many does she have left?

Add the gift: 7 + 6 = 13. Subtract the spending: 13 − 4 = 9.

Answer: 9 pennies.

Common mistakes
  • Subtracting the bigger number from the smaller Always check which number you start from — 9 − 5 is not the same as 5 − 9.
  • Forgetting to count on from the bigger number Start at the larger number and count on the smaller jump to save steps and avoid slips.

Practice

7 + 5 = ?
Start at 7 and count on 5.

12 — start at 7, then count on: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

4 + ? = 10
Count on from 4 to 10.

6 — 4 + 6 = 10.

15 − 6 = ?
Count back 6 from 15.

9 — count back: 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9.

A shelf holds 9 books. 5 more are added. How many now?
Which operation joins them together?

14 — 9 + 5 = 14.

Quick check

Number Bonds to 10 — quick check

Which of these best defines "Sum"?

The answer when you add numbers together. The sum of 4 and 6 is 10.

Write the fact family for 6, 9 and 15.

6 + 9 = 15, 9 + 6 = 15, 15 − 9 = 6, 15 − 6 = 9.

20 − 8 = ?

12 — 20 − 2 = 18, then 18 − 6 = 12.
Key takeaways
  • Number Bonds to 10: learn the pairs of numbers that add to make 10.
  • Counting all: Put two groups together and count everything from the start to find the total.
  • Difference: The answer when you subtract.
  • Watch out for: subtracting the bigger number from the smaller