Addition within 10: Number Bonds and Combining

Free sample questions, a clear explanation, and 5 practice skills with an AI tutor that guides without giving the answer away.

Super Addition Adventure!

Hello, Math Explorer! Did you know that adding numbers is like making a yummy fruit salad? Imagine you have 3 red strawberries and you add 4 purple grapes. When you put them all together in a bowl, you have a delicious salad! The strawberries are one part, the grapes are another part, and the whole salad is the whole. Let's explore how numbers do the exact same thing!

From Pictures to Numbers

Let's look at our 3 strawberries and 4 grapes on a ten frame. A ten frame helps us see the numbers clearly.

We can see 3 red dots and 4 purple dots. If we count them all together, we have 7 dots! This picture helps us write a special math map called a Number Bond and a number sentence called an equation.

3 + 4 = 7

Key Takeaway!

In addition, we combine smaller numbers, called parts, to make a bigger number, called the whole. The number bond and equation show the same idea!

part + part = whole

Let's Solve a Story!

You are a super problem solver! Let's try this one:
Leo has 5 blue toy cars. His friend gives him 2 more red toy cars. How many cars does Leo have in all?

First, let's find the parts. The parts are the 5 blue cars and the 2 red cars.
Next, we need to find the whole, which is all the cars together.
Let's write the equation: 5 + 2 = ?
Now, solve it! You can use your fingers or draw dots. 5... 6, 7!

5 + 2 = 7. Leo has 7 cars in all!

You are a number bond superstar! Keep looking for parts and wholes all around you—with your toys, your snacks, and your books. You are becoming an addition wizard!

Sample questions

1. 4 and what number make 7?

○ 2

○ 4

○ 11

✓ 3

Answer: 3 — Think about counting on from 4 until you reach 7.

2. Which pair of numbers makes 5?

✓ 2 and 3

○ 1 and 5

○ 3 and 3

○ 4 and 2

Answer: 2 and 3 — Add the two numbers together in each pair. Which sum is 5?

3. What number belongs in the box? 6 + ☐ = 9

○ 2

✓ 3

○ 15

○ 4

Answer: 3 — Start at 6 and count up to 9. How many jumps did you make?

Skills in this topic

Form number bonds for numbers up to 10 (Abstract representation).
Relate addition to combining parts to form a whole using number bonds.
Add two numbers within 10 using concrete objects and pictorial representations (e.g., ten frames).
Write and solve addition equations within 10.
Create and solve word problems involving addition within 10, explaining the parts and whole.

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