Introduction
Number bonds are like best friends that stick together to make a whole number. Imagine you have a group of friends that always hang out in pairs. These pairs of friends can be used to make adding and subtracting faster and easier! Let’s learn how these best friends, or number bonds, can help us in maths.
Reasons to Use
Number bonds help us see the special pairs that add up to a number. Knowing these pairs can speed up our maths problems especially for the 7+, 8+ and 11+ exams, because we can quickly break down and combine numbers in our heads. It’s like having a secret trick to solve problems faster!
Out in the Wild!
- Quick Addition: When you know the number bonds, you can add numbers faster.
- Quick Subtraction: Number bonds also help you find out what is missing in a subtraction problem.
Examples
Beginner: (Simple Number Bonds)
- Problem: Number bonds for 10
- Solution: 1 + 9, 2 + 8, 3 + 7, 4 + 6, 5 + 5
- Visual: Draw pairs of circles showing these combinations, like pairs of friends.
Intermediate: (Using Number Bonds to Add)
- Problem: 8 + 5
- Solution: Break 5 into 2 + 3 because you know 8 + 2 = 10. Then add 3 more to get 13.
- Visual: Show 8 and 5 on a number line, breaking 5 into 2 and 3 to make 10 first, then jumping 3 more to reach 13.
Expert: (Using Number Bonds for Larger Numbers)
- Problem: 13 + 28
- Solution: Break 28 into 20 + 8. Add 13 + 20 = 33, then add 8. Break 8 into 7 + 1, so you have 33 + 7 = 40, then add 1 to get 41.
- Visual: Draw the steps on a number line, showing how to split and add in parts.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Remembering Bonds: Practice with flashcards to remember common number bonds like those for 10, 20, etc.
- Breaking Numbers Incorrectly: Make sure to break numbers into easy parts that help you reach the nearest 10 first.
- Combining Steps: Practice combining steps in your head. For instance, instead of doing 13 + 28 all at once, break it down to simpler steps: 10 + 3 + 20 + 8, remember 3 + 7 or 2 + 8 is a number bond (we have 1 left if we add either way) so 10 + 10 + 20 + 1 = 41. Number bonds is the art of using different combinations, practice breaking bigger numbers apart
Also known as...
Number bonds: Number pairs, Friends of a number, Addends
Where else is this Used?
Understanding number bonds helps with more complex math like multiplication and division. For example, knowing the number bonds for 10 can help in multiplying by 10 or dividing by 10.
Memory Tips
- Rhyme: “Bonds of numbers are friends, together they make tens!”
- Song: Sing a song that lists out the number bonds, like a fun chant or a tune.