Websink Prep UKStep-by-step practice MathsLevel 1 chaptersMaths textbooksLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Browse allPast papersFind a tutorBecome a tutor
Step-by-step practice: Maths · Level 1Chapter 4 · Number bonds to 5
Level 1 · Chapter 4

Number bonds to 5

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Split 5 into two parts in every way
  • Say the missing part when one part is known
  • Find a number that goes with another to make 5
  • Say a bond to 5 as a fact

You should already know

  • Counting and numbers to 10 (Chapter 1)
  • Comparing and ordering numbers to 20 (Chapter 3)

Where this leads

  • Number bonds to 10 (Level 1, Chapter 5)

Step-by-step practice: maths (Level 1). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: See a number up to 5 as two smaller parts, Find all the pairs that make 5, Fill in missing parts in part-whole pictures, Say a number bond as a fact, such as 2 and 3 make 5.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

Non-calculator
1
FCount on from 4. What are the next two numbers?
2
FWhat number comes before 7?
3
FWhich number is bigger: 3 or 5?
4
FCount the stars. How many are there?
5
FWrite the number 3 as a word.
4.1

Parts and wholes

Level 1
Split 5 into two parts, Find a missing part
Video lesson: Parts and wholesComing soon

A number can be made from two parts. The whole number is at the top. The two parts are below.

If you know the whole and one part, you can find the other part.

523
The whole is 5. The parts are 2 and 3.

Key ideas

  • The whole is at the top.
  • The two parts are below it.
  • Parts add up to the whole.
Worked example 4.1.1
The whole is 5. One part is 4. What is the other part?
54?

Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.

  1. Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 5 and the known part is 4.
    5 and 4
  2. Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.
    5 - 4 = 1
  3. Write the missing part.
    1

Check. Put the two parts back together: 4 and 1 make 5.

Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.

Worked example 4.1.2
The whole is 5. One part is 1. What is the other part?
5?1

Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.

  1. Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 5 and the known part is 1.
    5 and 1
  2. Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.
    5 - 1 = 4
  3. Write the missing part.
    4

Check. Put the two parts back together: 1 and 4 make 5.

Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.

Worked example 4.1.3
The whole is 5. One part is 3. What is the other part?
53?

Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.

  1. Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 5 and the known part is 3.
    5 and 3
  2. Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.
    5 - 3 = 2
  3. Write the missing part.
    2

Check. Put the two parts back together: 3 and 2 make 5.

Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.

Watch out

Watch out. Do not add the known part to the whole. Take the known part away from 5.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Use five cubes or buttons. Split them into two piles, then ask: “How many in each pile?” Find as many ways as you can.

Exercise 4A  Parts and wholes

Non-calculator
1
FThe whole is 5. One part is 4. What is the other part?
54?
2
FThe whole is 5. One part is 4. What is the missing part in the picture?
5?4
3
FThe whole is 5. One part is 1. What is the other part?
51?
4
FThe whole is 5. One part is 1. What is the missing part in the picture?
5?1
5
FThe whole is 5. One part is 2. What is the other part?
52?
6
FThe whole is 5. One part is 0. What is the missing part in the picture?
5?0
7
FThe whole is 5. One part is 1. What is the other part?
51?
8
FThe whole is 5. One part is 1. What is the missing part in the picture?
5?1
9
FThe whole is 5. One part is 1. What is the other part?
51?
10
FThe whole is 5. One part is 4. What is the missing part in the picture?
5?4
11
FThe whole is 5. One part is 2. What is the other part?
52?
12
FThe whole is 5. One part is 0. What is the missing part in the picture?
5?0
13
FThe whole is 5. One part is 3. What is the other part?
53?
14
FThe whole is 5. One part is 0. What is the missing part in the picture?
5?0
15
PSThe whole is 5. One part is 3. What is the other part?
53?
16
PSThe whole is 5. One part is 0. What is the missing part in the picture?
5?0
4.2

Pairs that make 5

Level 1
Find pairs that make 5, Check whether a pair makes 5
Video lesson: Pairs that make 5Coming soon

The pairs that make 5 are:

0 and 5, 1 and 4, 2 and 3, 3 and 2, 4 and 1, 5 and 0.

Each pair can be turned round. 1 and 4 is the same pair as 4 and 1.

Key ideas

  • 0 and 5 make 5.
  • 1 and 4 make 5.
  • 2 and 3 make 5.
  • You can turn a pair round and it still makes 5.
Worked example 4.2.1
Which number goes with 2 to make 5?

Method. Find the part that goes with 2 to make the whole, 5.

  1. Start with 2. It is the part we know.
    2
  2. Count on to 5. Count on: 3, 4, 5.
    3, 4, 5
  3. Write the answer. We counted on 3 steps.
    3

Check. 2 + 3 = 5. It works.

Watch out. Count on from the known part to the whole.

Worked example 4.2.2
Which number goes with 4 to make 5?

Method. Find the part that goes with 4 to make 5.

  1. Start with 4. It is the part we know.
    4
  2. Count on to 5. One more makes 5.
    5
  3. Write the answer. The missing part is 1.
    1

Check. 4 + 1 = 5. It works.

Watch out. Count on one from 4: 5.

Worked example 4.2.3
Does 3 and 3 make 5? Answer yes or no.

Method. Add the two numbers. Is the total 5?

  1. Add 3 and 3. Add the two parts together.
    3 + 3 = 6
  2. Compare with 5. The total is 6, not 5.
    6 is not 5
  3. Write the answer.
    No

Check. Count on from 3: 4, 5, 6. The total is 6, not 5.

Watch out. Add the two numbers. Do not just look at them.

Watch out

Watch out. 2 and 2 make 4, not 5. Always add the two numbers to check.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Put 5 counters in a cup. Pour some into a second cup. Ask: “How many are in the other cup?” Then turn the cups round.

Exercise 4B  Pairs that make 5

Non-calculator
1
FWhich number goes with 3 to make 5?
2
FWhich number goes with 0 to make 5?
3
PSDoes 1 and 2 make 5? Answer yes or no.
4
RSam says 2 and 3 make 5. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
5
FWhich number goes with 3 to make 5?
6
FWhich number goes with 4 to make 5?
7
PSDoes 1 and 5 make 5? Answer yes or no.
8
RSam says 0 and 0 make 5. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
9
FWhich number goes with 2 to make 5?
10
FWhich number goes with 1 to make 5?
11
PSDoes 5 and 4 make 5? Answer yes or no.
12
RSam says 1 and 4 make 5. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
13
FWhich number goes with 1 to make 5?
14
FWhich number goes with 5 to make 5?
15
PSDoes 4 and 5 make 5? Answer yes or no.
16
RSam says 0 and 0 make 5. Is Sam right? Explain how you know.
4.3

Bonds to 5 as facts

Level 1
Say a bond to 5 as a fact
Video lesson: Bonds to 5 as factsComing soon

A fact sounds like this: “2 and 3 make 5.”

Say the two parts, then the word make, then the whole.

Key ideas

  • A fact says two parts and the whole, like 2 and 3 make 5.
  • Say the fact out loud before you write it.
  • A fact is true only when the parts add up to 5.
Worked example 4.3.1
Finish the fact: 1 and □ make 5.

Method. Find the part that goes with 1.

  1. Read the fact. We know one part, which is 1.
    1 and ? make 5
  2. Find the missing part. Count on from 1 to 5.
    5 - 1 = 4
  3. Write the fact.
    1 and 4 make 5

Check. 1 + 4 = 5. It works.

Watch out. Say the whole fact to check it sounds right.

Worked example 4.3.2
Finish the fact: □ and 5 make 5.

Method. Think about what joins with 5 to make 5.

  1. Read the fact. One part is 5, and the whole is 5.
    ? and 5 make 5
  2. Work out the other part. Zero added to 5 is still 5.
    5 + 0 = 5
  3. Write the fact.
    0 and 5 make 5

Check. 0 + 5 = 5. It works.

Watch out. Zero is a part that adds nothing.

Worked example 4.3.3
Is this fact true? “3 and 1 make 5.”

Method. Add the two numbers. Is the total 5?

  1. Add 3 and 1. Add the two parts.
    3 + 1 = 4
  2. Compare with 5. The total is 4, not 5.
    4 is not 5
  3. Write the answer.
    No

Check. The true fact is 3 and 2 make 5.

Watch out. A fact is true only when the total is exactly 5.

Watch out

Watch out. Check the total, not the shape of the numbers.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to say each fact in a full sentence, like 4 and 1 make 5. Then ask them to say a fact that is not true, and check it with objects.

Exercise 4C  Bonds to 5 as facts

Non-calculator
1
FFinish the fact: 5 and □ make 5.
2
FIs this fact true? “2 and 3 make 5.” Answer yes or no.
3
FFinish the fact: 2 and □ make 5.
4
FIs this fact true? “2 and 4 make 5.” Answer yes or no.
5
FFinish the fact: 1 and □ make 5.
6
FIs this fact true? “4 and 1 make 5.” Answer yes or no.
7
FFinish the fact: 1 and □ make 5.
8
FIs this fact true? “0 and 5 make 5.” Answer yes or no.
9
FFinish the fact: 4 and □ make 5.
10
FIs this fact true? “5 and 0 make 5.” Answer yes or no.
11
FFinish the fact: 4 and □ make 5.
12
FIs this fact true? “3 and 2 make 5.” Answer yes or no.
13
FFinish the fact: 2 and □ make 5.
14
FIs this fact true? “5 and 1 make 5.” Answer yes or no.
15
PSFinish the fact: 5 and □ make 5.
16
RIs this fact true? “1 and 4 make 5.” Answer yes or no.
4.4

Missing numbers in sums

Level 1
Find the missing number in a sum that makes 5
Video lesson: Missing numbers in sumsComing soon

A sum has a box where the missing number goes.

Ask: “What do I add to this number to make 5?”

Key ideas

  • The box is the missing number.
  • A sum with a box still has the answer 5.
  • Use your bonds to 5 to find the box.
Worked example 4.4.1
Fill in the box: 4 + □ = 5

Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.

  1. Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 5 and the known part is 4.
    5 and 4
  2. Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.
    5 - 4 = 1
  3. Write the missing part.
    1

Check. Put the two parts back together: 4 and 1 make 5.

Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.

Worked example 4.4.2
Fill in the box: □ + 2 = 5

Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.

  1. Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 5 and the known part is 2.
    5 and 2
  2. Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.
    5 - 2 = 3
  3. Write the missing part.
    3

Check. Put the two parts back together: 2 and 3 make 5.

Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.

Worked example 4.4.3
Fill in the box: 0 + □ = 5

Method. Find the missing part. Ask what goes with the known part to make the whole.

  1. Look at the whole and the part you know. The whole is 5 and the known part is 0.
    5 and 0
  2. Count on from the known part to the whole. Or take the known part away from the whole.
    5 - 0 = 5
  3. Write the missing part.
    5

Check. Put the two parts back together: 0 and 5 make 5.

Watch out. The two parts always add up to the whole.

Watch out

Watch out. The box can be on either side of the plus sign. The answer is still the missing part.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Let your child use fingers to check. Hold up 5 fingers, put some down, and count the fingers still up.

Exercise 4D  Missing numbers in sums

Non-calculator
1
FFill in the box: 3 + □ = 5
2
FFill in the box: □ + 1 = 5
3
FFill in the box: 0 + □ = 5
4
FFill in the box: □ + 5 = 5
5
FFill in the box: 2 + □ = 5
6
FFill in the box: □ + 4 = 5
7
FFill in the box: 5 + □ = 5
8
FFill in the box: □ + 5 = 5
9
FFill in the box: 5 + □ = 5
10
FFill in the box: □ + 5 = 5
11
FFill in the box: 5 + □ = 5
12
FFill in the box: □ + 4 = 5
13
FFill in the box: 3 + □ = 5
14
FFill in the box: □ + 1 = 5
15
PSFill in the box: 2 + □ = 5
16
RFill in the box: □ + 0 = 5

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Parts and wholesThe two parts add up to the whole. Take the known part from the whole
Pairs that make 50+5, 1+4, 2+3 and their turns
Bonds as factsSay the two parts, then make, then the whole: 2 and 3 make 5
Missing numbersCount on from the known part to 5

Can you…?

  • I can see 5 as two smaller parts
  • I can list the pairs that make 5
  • I can find the missing part when one part is known
  • I can say a bond to 5 as a fact
  • I can find the missing number in a sum that makes 5

Key terms

whole
the number made when the parts are put together
part
one of the smaller numbers that make the whole
number bond
two parts that make a whole, such as 2 and 3 make 5
fact
a statement that is true, such as 2 and 3 make 5

Exercise 4Z  Check-up

Non-calculator
1
The whole is 5. One part is 5. What is the other part?
55?
2
The whole is 5. One part is 3. What is the missing part in the picture?
5?3
3
The whole is 5. One part is 4. What is the other part?
54?
4
Which number goes with 0 to make 5?
5
Which number goes with 2 to make 5?
6
Does 1 and 1 make 5? Answer yes or no.
7
Finish the fact: 5 and □ make 5.
8
Is this fact true? “1 and 5 make 5.” Answer yes or no.
9
Fill in the box: 5 + □ = 5
10
Fill in the box: □ + 4 = 5

Total 18 marks. Allow about 18 minutes.

Exercise 4X  Practice test questions

Non-calculator
1
PSThe whole is 5. One part is 3. What is the other part?[1 mark]
53?
2
PSThe whole is 5. One part is 5. What is the missing part in the picture?[1 mark]
5?5
3
FWhich number goes with 3 to make 5?[1 mark]
4
FWhich number goes with 1 to make 5?[1 mark]
5
PSDoes 0 and 4 make 5? Answer yes or no.[2 marks]
6
PSFinish the fact: 3 and □ make 5.[2 marks]
7
RIs this fact true? “2 and 3 make 5.” Answer yes or no.[2 marks]
8
PSFill in the box: 3 + □ = 5[2 marks]
9
RFill in the box: □ + 2 = 5[3 marks]
10
PSFinish the fact: 0 and □ make 5.[3 marks]
← Chapter 3: Before, after and betweenChapter 5: Number bonds to 10 →

Websink Prep UK is an independent site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, SQA, GL Assessment, CEM or the Department for Education. All exam board names and trademarks belong to their owners. Past papers are linked from the exam boards' own websites and are not hosted here.

About Websink Prep UK · Find a tutor · Privacy · Terms · Cookie settings