Number bonds and make ten, step by step
Number bonds teach that a whole number can be split into two parts and put back together.
The question
103
3 and ? make 10
••••••••••
whole:10
•••|•••••••
3 + 7 =10
7 + 3 =10
10 − 3 =7
10 − 7 =3
0 +10=10
1 +9=10
2 +8=10
3 +7=10
4 +6=10
5 +5=10
- The whole is 10 and it never changes — the two parts just share it out. So this is not really a sum: it is asking what is left of 10 once 3 is taken.
- 3 in one part leaves 7 in the other: 3 and 7 make 10.
- And that one fact is really four: 3 + 7 = 10, 7 + 3 = 10, 10 − 3 = 7, 10 − 7 = 3. Learn the pair and all four come with it.
- Move one across and the other moves the same amount the other way — the whole is fixed, so the parts can only trade. That is why the whole set of bonds for 10 is one thing to remember rather than 11.
How it works.
- 01
The whole is 10 and it never changes — the two parts just share it out. So this is not really a sum: it is asking what is left of 10 once 3 is taken.
- 02
3 in one part leaves 7 in the other: 3 and 7 make 10.
- 03
And that one fact is really four: 3 + 7 = 10, 7 + 3 = 10, 10 − 3 = 7, 10 − 7 = 3. Learn the pair and all four come with it.
- 04
Move one across and the other moves the same amount the other way — the whole is fixed, so the parts can only trade. That is why the whole set of bonds for 10 is one thing to remember rather than 11.