Mental Maths: A Review of Number Bonds

A Number Bond is the relationship between a number and the smaller number parts that combine to make it.

To put it another way, a Number Bond for a number shows you what smaller numbers add up to make it.

We have actually looked at this before in 'Number Fingers', 'Show Me Different Ways Numbers Are Made Up', we just didn’t call it 'Number Bonds' !

For example, the Number Bonds for 5 are –

• 1 and 4 (because 1 + 4 = 5),
• 2 and 3 (because 2 + 3 = 5)

For Number Bonds we don't need to list 4 + 1 and 3 + 2 as we know that with adding you can change the adding order and the result remains the same (link).

Here's another example, the Number Bonds for 7 are –

• 1 and 6,
• 2 and 5,
• 3 and 4.

Step 3: Number Bonds to 5

The Number Bonds for 2, 3, and 4 given below -

2 is made up of...
1 and 1.

3 is made up of...
1 and 2.

4 is made up of...
3 and 1,
2 and 2.

5 is made up of...
4 and 1,
3 and 2.

You talk each one through first, using your fingers or objects such as sweets to help explain where necessary.

Then ask them "What ways can 2 be made up of ?", similarly ask for 3, 4, and 5.

Play the "What Number?" game to help your child learn these Number Bonds. As an example, if you are doing the Number Bonds for 3, you would choose a number from 1 to 3 and ask your child what number added on to your number would equal 3.

Repeat this stage until they are confident with this step.

Stage 5: Doing Mental Maths

This stage is for children aged 5 and older.

Step 4: Number Bonds to 9

The Number Bonds for 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 given below -

6 is made up of...
5 and 1,
4 and 2,
3 and 3

7 is made up of...
6 and 1,
5 and 2,
4 and 3

8 is made up of...
7 and 1,
6 and 2,
5 and 3,
4 and 4

9 is made up of...
8 and 1,
7 and 2,
6 and 3,
5 and 4

Ask them to have a go at finding some of the Number Bonds using objects like sweets, with you provide help as needed.

Ask them "What ways can 6 be made up of ?" , similarly ask for 7, 8, and 9. Help your child with hints as needed or show them examples.

Play the "What Number ?" game to help your child learn these Number Bonds. As an example, if you are doing the Number Bonds for 7, you would choose a number from 1 to 7 and ask your child what number added on to your number would equal 7.

Repeat this step until they are confident.

Step 5: Number Bonds for 10

The Number Bonds for 10 are very important as our decimal number system we all use is fundamentally based on the number 10. So take the time to help your child learn these well.

The Number Bonds 10 are given below -

10 is made up of...
9 and 1,
8 and 2,
7 and 3,
6 and 4,
5 and 5.

Ask them to have a go at finding some of the Number Bonds using objects like sweets, with you provide help as needed.

Then ask them "What ways can 10 be made up of ?"

Play the "What Number?" game to help your child learn these Number Bonds. As an example, give your child a number from 1 to 10 and ask what number added on to your number would equal 10.

Repeat this stage until they are confident.

KEYPOINT: 'Number Bonds' are the key to your child's mental maths ability, so spend a lot of time in this stage.

Mental Maths is covered fully in the 'Numeracy Age 7 To 11 Part 1' Learning Track. Here we will review the main points to know for Mental Maths.