Adding 3 Numbers to Make 10 Worksheet

Master adding 3 numbers to make 10: number bonds, addition strategies, and visual representations for 1st grade students.

Practice Exercises: Adding 3 Numbers to Make 10
1 Basic Addition
Exercise 1
Find the missing number:
\(3 + 4 + ? = 10\)
Definition:

Number bond to 10: Combinations of numbers that add up to 10

Solution method:
  1. Add the known numbers together
  2. Subtract the sum from 10
  3. The difference is the missing number
Known numbers
\(3 + 4\)
Add them
\(7\)
Subtract from 10
\(10 - 7 = 3\)
Step 1: Add known numbers

\(3 + 4 = 7\)

Step 2: Subtract from 10

\(10 - 7 = 3\)

Step 3: Verify

\(3 + 4 + 3 = 7 + 3 = 10\) ✓

\(3 + 4 + 3 = 10\)
Final answer:

The missing number is 3

Applied rules:

• Addition: Combine numbers to find sums

• Subtraction: Find the difference to reach the target

• Verification: Check that all three numbers add to 10

2 Number Bonds
Exercise 2
Find the missing number:
\(2 + ? + 5 = 10\)
Definition:

Number bond: A mental picture of the relationship between numbers

Known numbers
\(2 + 5\)
Add them
\(7\)
Subtract from 10
\(10 - 7 = 3\)
Step 1: Add known numbers

\(2 + 5 = 7\)

Step 2: Subtract from 10

\(10 - 7 = 3\)

Step 3: Verify

\(2 + 3 + 5 = 5 + 5 = 10\) ✓

\(2 + 3 + 5 = 10\)
Final answer:

The missing number is 3

Applied rules:

• Number bonds: Understanding how numbers combine to make 10

• Commutative property: Order doesn't matter in addition

• Verification: Check that all three numbers add to 10

3 Mixed Numbers
Exercise 3
Find the missing number:
\(1 + 6 + ? = 10\)
Definition:

Part-whole relationship: Understanding that parts combine to make a whole

Known numbers
\(1 + 6\)
Add them
\(7\)
Subtract from 10
\(10 - 7 = 3\)
Step 1: Add known numbers

\(1 + 6 = 7\)

Step 2: Subtract from 10

\(10 - 7 = 3\)

Step 3: Verify

\(1 + 6 + 3 = 7 + 3 = 10\) ✓

\(1 + 6 + 3 = 10\)
Final answer:

The missing number is 3

Applied rules:

• Part-whole thinking: Recognizing how parts make up a whole

• Addition: Combining numbers to find totals

• Verification: Confirming the sum equals 10

More Practice Exercises
4 Visual Thinking
Exercise 4
Find the missing number:
\(4 + ? + 2 = 10\)
Definition:

Visual representation: Using pictures or objects to understand addition

Known numbers
\(4 + 2\)
Add them
\(6\)
Subtract from 10
\(10 - 6 = 4\)
Step 1: Add known numbers

\(4 + 2 = 6\)

Step 2: Subtract from 10

\(10 - 6 = 4\)

Step 3: Verify

\(4 + 4 + 2 = 8 + 2 = 10\) ✓

\(4 + 4 + 2 = 10\)
Final answer:

The missing number is 4

Applied rules:

• Visual thinking: Picture the numbers in your mind

• Subtraction: Find what's needed to reach 10

• Verification: Double-check your answer

5 Counting Strategy
Exercise 5
Find the missing number:
\(5 + 3 + ? = 10\)
Definition:

Counting strategy: Counting up from the sum of known numbers to reach 10

Known numbers
\(5 + 3\)
Add them
\(8\)
Subtract from 10
\(10 - 8 = 2\)
Step 1: Add known numbers

\(5 + 3 = 8\)

Step 2: Subtract from 10

\(10 - 8 = 2\)

Step 3: Verify

\(5 + 3 + 2 = 8 + 2 = 10\) ✓

\(5 + 3 + 2 = 10\)
Final answer:

The missing number is 2

Applied rules:

• Counting strategy: Count up from the sum to 10

• Addition: Combine the numbers correctly

• Verification: Ensure the total is 10

6 Mental Math
Exercise 6
Find the missing number:
\(6 + ? + 1 = 10\)
Definition:

Mental math: Solving problems in your head without writing

Known numbers
\(6 + 1\)
Add them
\(7\)
Subtract from 10
\(10 - 7 = 3\)
Step 1: Add known numbers

\(6 + 1 = 7\)

Step 2: Subtract from 10

\(10 - 7 = 3\)

Step 3: Verify

\(6 + 3 + 1 = 9 + 1 = 10\) ✓

\(6 + 3 + 1 = 10\)
Final answer:

The missing number is 3

Applied rules:

• Mental math: Practice solving in your head

• Subtraction: Find the difference needed

• Verification: Always check your work

Visual Infographic: Adding 3 Numbers to Make 10
+
=
10
?

Making 10 with 3 Numbers

Understanding Number Bonds

3 + 4 + ? = 10

Find the Missing Part

🧩
Parts
➡️
Combine
🎯
Target
🔍
Missing
Strategy
Add known numbers, subtract from 10
Example
3 + 4 = 7, 10 - 7 = 3
Check
3 + 4 + 3 = 10
✅

Success!

Key Rules, Methods, and Strategies for Adding 3 Numbers to Make 10
\(a + b + c = 10\)
Number Bonds to 10
Key definitions:

Number bond: A mental picture of the relationship between a number and the parts that combine to make it

Part-whole relationship: Understanding that parts combine to make a whole

Missing addend: The unknown number that completes the equation

Complete methodology:
  1. Identify known numbers: Find the numbers you already have
  2. Add known numbers: Combine the numbers you know
  3. Subtract from target: Take the sum away from 10
  4. Verify answer: Check that all three numbers add to 10
Tip 1: Practice number bonds to 10 regularly.
Tip 2: Use fingers or counters to visualize the problem.
Tip 3: Remember that order doesn't matter in addition.
Tip 4: Always check your answer by adding all three numbers.
Common errors: Forgetting to add known numbers first, miscalculating the subtraction, not verifying the final answer.
Practice patterns: 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5 and their variations with three numbers.
Key facts to remember:

• Commutative property: \(a + b = b + a\)

• Associative property: \((a + b) + c = a + (b + c)\)

• Number bonds to 10: 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5

• Missing addend: \(10 - (a + b) = c\)

Questions & Answers

Question: How do I know which number to add first when adding three numbers together to make 10?

Answer: Great question! In addition, the order doesn't matter because of the commutative property. You can add the numbers in any order and still get the same result.

For example: \(3 + 4 + 3 = 10\), and also \(4 + 3 + 3 = 10\), and \(3 + 3 + 4 = 10\).

However, it might be easier to add numbers that you know make a round number first. For instance, if you have \(2 + 8 + 0\), you might notice that 2 + 8 = 10 right away, so the answer is 10.

When finding a missing number, always add the known numbers first, then subtract from 10.

Question: My child is struggling to find the missing number in equations like \(5 + ? + 2 = 10\). What strategies can I use to help them?

Answer: Here are some effective strategies to help your child:

  • Use manipulatives: Have your child use fingers, counters, or small toys to represent the numbers.
  • Draw pictures: Draw circles or dots to represent each number.
  • Follow the steps: Add known numbers first (5 + 2 = 7), then subtract from 10 (10 - 7 = 3).
  • Practice number bonds: Focus on pairs that make 10 (like 7 + 3 = 10).

For your example \(5 + ? + 2 = 10\): First, add 5 + 2 = 7, then ask "What number added to 7 makes 10?" The answer is 3.

Regular practice with these visual and hands-on approaches will build confidence!

Question: Why do we learn to make 10? It seems hard with three numbers.

Answer: Learning to make 10 is very important because:

  • It helps with bigger numbers: Once you know 6 + 4 = 10, you can figure out 16 + 4 = 20 easily!
  • It's used in subtraction: If you know 7 + 3 = 10, then 10 - 7 = 3.
  • It builds number sense: Understanding how numbers relate to each other.
  • It makes mental math faster: You can break down harder problems into easier ones.

Working with three numbers helps you see that there are many ways to make 10, like 1 + 2 + 7, or 3 + 3 + 4. This makes you better at math!

Think of making 10 as a superpower for math!