Step-by-step Maths Level 1: Recalling bonds to 10
Part of the Step-by-step Maths Level 1 number bonds to 10 chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Recalling bonds to 10
Once you know the bonds, you do not need to count. Just say the answer.
Try to say the bonds to 10 in under five seconds each. Check with a ten frame if you are not sure.
Key ideas
- Know the bonds to 10 by heart.
- Check by adding the two parts.
- Practise a few each day.
Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 6.10 and 6
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 6 = 4
- Write the missing part. 4
Check. Put the two parts back together: 6 and 4 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.
Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 9.10 and 9
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 9 = 1
- Write the missing part. 1
Check. Put the two parts back together: 9 and 1 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.
Method. Add the two numbers. Is the total 10?
- Add 4 and 5. Add the two parts.4 + 5 = 9
- Compare with 10. The total is 9, not 10.9 is not 10
- Write the answer. No
Check. The true fact is 4 and 6 make 10.
Watch out. The total must be exactly 10.
Watch out
Watch out. 4 and 5 make 9, not 10. Be careful with numbers that are close together.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Practise for two minutes a day. Ask: “What makes 10 with 3?” If your child can answer in under five seconds, move on to the next pair.
Exercise 5D Recalling bonds to 10
Non-calculatorMethod. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 3.10 and 3
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 3 = 7
- Write the missing part. 7
Check. Put the two parts back together: 3 and 7 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.
Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 6.10 and 6
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 6 = 4
- Write the missing part. 4
Check. Put the two parts back together: 6 and 4 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.
Method. Add the two numbers. Is the total 10?
- Add the two numbers. Add 8 and 2.8 + 2 = 10
- Compare with 10. The fact is true only when the total is 10.10 is the same as 10
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. If the fact is wrong, the true bond is 8 and 2 make 10. ✓
Watch out. Check the total is exactly 10.
Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 4.10 and 4
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 4 = 6
- Write the missing part. 6
Check. Put the two parts back together: 4 and 6 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.
Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 2.10 and 2
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 2 = 8
- Write the missing part. 8
Check. Put the two parts back together: 2 and 8 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.
Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 4.10 and 4
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 4 = 6
- Write the missing part. 6
Check. Put the two parts back together: 4 and 6 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.
Method. Add the two numbers. Is the total 10?
- Add the two numbers. Add 5 and 6.5 + 6 = 11
- Compare with 10. The fact is true only when the total is 10.11 is not 10
- Write the answer. No
Check. If the fact is wrong, the true bond is 5 and 5 make 10. ✓
Watch out. Check the total is exactly 10.
Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 6.10 and 6
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 6 = 4
- Write the missing part. 4
Check. Put the two parts back together: 6 and 4 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.
Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 2.10 and 2
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 2 = 8
- Write the missing part. 8
Check. Put the two parts back together: 2 and 8 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.
Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 6.10 and 6
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 6 = 4
- Write the missing part. 4
Check. Put the two parts back together: 6 and 4 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.
Method. Add the two numbers. Is the total 10?
- Add the two numbers. Add 9 and 1.9 + 1 = 10
- Compare with 10. The fact is true only when the total is 10.10 is the same as 10
- Write the answer. Yes
Check. If the fact is wrong, the true bond is 9 and 1 make 10. ✓
Watch out. Check the total is exactly 10.
Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 3.10 and 3
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 3 = 7
- Write the missing part. 7
Check. Put the two parts back together: 3 and 7 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.
Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 7.10 and 7
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 7 = 3
- Write the missing part. 3
Check. Put the two parts back together: 7 and 3 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.
Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 0.10 and 0
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 0 = 10
- Write the missing part. 10
Check. Put the two parts back together: 0 and 10 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.
Method. Add the two numbers. Is the total 10?
- Add the two numbers. Add 4 and 7.4 + 7 = 11
- Compare with 10. The fact is true only when the total is 10.11 is not 10
- Write the answer. No
Check. If the fact is wrong, the true bond is 4 and 6 make 10. ✓
Watch out. Check the total is exactly 10.
Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.
- Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 10 and the known part is 1.10 and 1
- Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.10 - 1 = 9
- Write the missing part. 9
Check. Put the two parts back together: 1 and 9 make 10.
Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.