What Are Number Bonds? Explained For Primary Parents And Kids

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

This article is part of our series designed for teachers to inform their mathematical subject knowledge, and for parents to help support children with home learning. More free home learning resources are also available.

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 will be able to 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.

Read more: Teaching Addition & Subtraction at KS2

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.

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:

• What Is Column Addition?
• What Is Column Subtraction?
• How To Teach Subtraction Year 5
• How To Teach Addition Year 5
• Addition and Subtraction Worksheets

Number bonds practice questions

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.

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:

• Number bonds CPD videos: Maths in Minutes
• Year 1: Ready to go Lesson Slides and Worksheets (Autumn Block 2)

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