What Are Number Bonds? Explained For Primary Parents And Kids

August 6, 2024 | 2 min read

Sophie Bartlett

Number bonds are pairs of numbers that can be added together to make another number, for example, 4 + 6 = 10. They are some of the most basic and most important parts of maths for children to learn.

What are number bonds?

A number bond is a pair of numbers that always add together to make another, larger, number. Children are introduced to this concept through number bonds to 10:

0 + 10
1 + 9
2 + 8
3 + 7
4 + 6
5 + 5

These are the foundations of many other key number bonds – if children can fluently recall their number bonds to 10, they can calculate number bonds to other multiples of 10.

This can then be developed to larger multiples of 10 (such as multiples of 100) and even decimal number bonds (e.g. 0.3 + 0.7 = 1). Children should also be able to calculate the corresponding subtraction facts for these number bonds, e.g. if 1 + 9 = 10, then 10 – 1 = 9 and 10 – 9 = 1.

FREE Partitioning Numbers Worksheet

This time-saving worksheet is for Year 1 partitioning numbers and includes 4 arithmetic questions, 9 consolidation questions, and 1 challenge question.

Download Free Now!

Number bonds to 10

The number bonds to 10 are

0 + 10
1 + 9
2 + 8
3 + 7
4 + 6
5 + 5
6 + 4
7 + 3
8 + 2
9 + 1
10 + 0

Number bonds to 20

The number bonds to 20 are

0 + 20
1 + 19
2 + 18
3 + 17
4 + 16
5 + 15
6 + 14
7 + 13
8 + 12
9 + 11
10 + 10
10 + 10
11 + 9
12 + 8
13 + 7
14 + 6
15 + 5
16 + 4
17 + 3
18 + 2
19 + 1
20 + 0

Number bonds to 100

Number bonds to 100 are pairs of numbers that add together to make 100 such as 20 + 80, or 55 + 45. To find the number bond pair for any number use your knowledge of number bonds to 10 to work out first what the matching unit or ‘ones’ would be to bridge to the next ten and then, what the number pair would be for the tens.

So for example to find the number bond to 100 of 36, you first add 4 to reach 40, then add 60 to reach 100. So the number bond to 100 of 36 is 64.

When will my child learn about number bonds in primary school?

Your child may already have come across number bonds in EYFS, but the National Curriculum introduces the concept at Key Stage 1 in Year 1, where children will represent and use number bonds and related subtraction facts within 20.

The non-statutory guidance also advises that Year 1 pupils memorise and reason with number bonds to 10 and 20 in several forms (for example, 9 + 7 = 16; 16 – 7 = 9; 7 = 16 – 9). The NC states that by the end of year 2, pupils should know the number bonds to 20 and be precise in using and understanding place value. An emphasis on practice at this early stage will aid fluency.

Third space learning online maths intervention year 1 number bonds slide — Introducing number bonds to Year 1 pupils in Third Space Learning’s online maths intervention.

Wondering about how to explain other key maths vocabulary to your children? Check out our Primary Maths Dictionary, or try these other terms related to number bonds:

Number bonds practice questions

1. Complete these addition sums. One is done for you.

3 + 7 = 10
33 + __ = 40
__ + 7 = 80

(Answer: 7 and 73)

2. Write missing numbers on the lines to make this correct.

60 + __ = 100 = 20 + ___

(Answer: 40 and 80)

3. Write the next three sums in the pattern:

1 + 9 = 10
2 + 8 = 10
3 + 7 = 10

(Answer: 4+6, 5+5, 6+4)

4. Use your knowledge of number bonds to answer this calculation:

7 + 2 + 1 + 8 + 9 + 3

(Answer: 30)

Number bonds games

Number bonds are often taught in school through maths games and maths problems. As well as these number bonds to 10 activities we also have several games specifically for practising number facts and number bonds including these fun maths games for kids at home or school, KS1 maths games, Key Stage 2 maths games and then these mental maths games.

You can also use manipulatives to develop practice number bonds in a hands-on way, such as a tens frame.

Number bonds worksheets

Take a look at the Third Space Learning Maths Hub to get access to hundreds of free resources and premium maths worksheets, including some of the following for number bonds:

What is an example of number bonds?

Number bonds are pairs of numbers that can be added together to make another number, for example, 4 + 6 = 10.

What age do you teach number bonds?

Child may come across number bonds in EYFS, but the primary curriculum introduces the concept in Year 1. By the end of Year 2, pupils should know the number bonds to 20.

Why should children know number bonds?

Learning number bonds and using them with fluency will help children as they learn addition, subtraction and times tables.

How do you explain number bonds to a child?

Number bonds are two numbers that add up to a certain number. When we look at number bonds to ten, there are different ways we can partition ten.
For example,
0 + 10 = 10
1 + 9 = 10
2 + 8 = 10
3 + 7 =10
4 + 6 = 10
5 + 5 = 10
6 + 4 = 10
7 + 3 = 10
8 + 2 = 10
9 + 1 = 10
10 + 0 = 10

DO YOU HAVE STUDENTS WHO NEED MORE SUPPORT IN MATHS?

Every week Third Space Learning’s maths specialist tutors support thousands of students across hundreds of schools with weekly online maths tuition designed to plug gaps and boost progress.

Since 2013 these personalised one to one lessons have helped over 169,000 primary and secondary students become more confident, able mathematicians.

Learn about the scaffolded lesson content or request a personalised quote for your school to speak to us about your school’s needs and how we can help.