Ways to Make 10 Addition for Grade 1 Students

Complete guide to understanding different ways to make 10 through addition with visual models, step-by-step exercises, and interactive learning tools.

Ways to Make 10 Solutions: Exercises 1 to 3
1 Make 10 with 1
Exercise 1
Find the number that makes 10 when added to 1: 1 + ___ = 10
Definition:

Ways to make 10: Addition pairs that combine to equal 10. These are important benchmark combinations for mental math.

Known Part
1
Missing Part
9
Whole
10
1
1 object
+
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9 more objects
=
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
Total: 10
Step 1: Start with 1

We have 1 object

Step 2: Need to reach 10

Count from 1 to 10: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Step 3: Count the difference

From 1 to 10 is 9 more

Step 4: Verify the answer

1 + 9 = 10 ✓

1 + 9 = 10
Final answer:

1 + 9 = 10

Applied rules:

• Missing addend: Find what number completes the equation

• Counting strategy: Count from known number to target

• Benchmark numbers: 10 is an important reference point

2 Make 10 with 2
Exercise 2
Find the number that makes 10 when added to 2: 2 + ___ = 10
Definition:

Number bonds: Showing how numbers can be broken into parts that combine to make the whole number.

2
2
Step 1: Start with 2

We have 2 objects in the ten frame

Step 2: Count empty spaces

There are 8 empty spaces in the ten frame

Step 3: Find the missing number

2 + 8 = 10

Step 4: Verify the answer

2 + 8 = 10 ✓

2 + 8 = 10
Final answer:

2 + 8 = 10

Applied rules:

• Ten frame strategy: Visual tool for making 10

• Part-whole relationship: Parts combine to make the whole

• Missing addend: Find what number completes the equation

3 Make 10 with 3
Exercise 3
Find the number that makes 10 when added to 3: 3 + ___ = 10
Definition:

Decomposition: Breaking apart numbers to understand their relationship to 10.

3
3
3
3 objects
+
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7 more objects
=
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
Total: 10
Step 1: Start with 3

We have 3 objects

Step 2: Need to reach 10

Count from 3 to 10: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Step 3: Count the difference

From 3 to 10 is 7 more

Step 4: Verify the answer

3 + 7 = 10 ✓

3 + 7 = 10
Final answer:

3 + 7 = 10

Applied rules:

• Counting strategy: Count from known number to target

• Part-whole relationship: Parts combine to make the whole

• Benchmark numbers: 10 is an important reference point

Ways to Make 10 Solutions: Exercises 4 to 5
4 Make 10 with 4
Exercise 4
Find the number that makes 10 when added to 4: 4 + ___ = 10
Definition:

Complementary pairs: Number pairs that add up to 10 (1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5).

4
4
4
4
Step 1: Start with 4

We have 4 objects in the ten frame

Step 2: Count empty spaces

There are 6 empty spaces in the ten frame

Step 3: Find the missing number

4 + 6 = 10

Step 4: Verify the answer

4 + 6 = 10 ✓

4 + 6 = 10
Final answer:

4 + 6 = 10

Applied rules:

• Ten frame strategy: Visual tool for making 10

• Complementary pairs: Numbers that add up to 10

• Missing addend: Find what number completes the equation

5 Make 10 with 5
Exercise 5
Find the number that makes 10 when added to 5: 5 + ___ = 10
Definition:

Double facts: When a number is added to itself (5 + 5 = 10 is a double fact).

5
5
5
5
5
5 objects
+
5
5
5
5
5
5 more objects
=
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
Total: 10
Step 1: Start with 5

We have 5 objects

Step 2: Need to reach 10

Count from 5 to 10: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Step 3: Count the difference

From 5 to 10 is 5 more

Step 4: Verify the answer

5 + 5 = 10 ✓

5 + 5 = 10
Final answer:

5 + 5 = 10

Applied rules:

• Double fact: 5 + 5 is a double fact equal to 10

• Complementary pairs: 5 and 5 are complements to 10

• Counting strategy: Count from known number to target

Ways to Make 10 Addition Concepts
+
Complementary Pairs
To 10
10
Benchmark Number
Important
📊
Ten Frame
Visual Tool
🎯
Mental Math
Foundation
0 + 10
= 10
1 + 9
= 10
2 + 8
= 10
3 + 7
= 10
4 + 6
= 10
5 + 5
= 10
6 + 4
= 10
7 + 3
= 10
8 + 2
= 10
9 + 1
= 10
a + (10 - a) = 10
Complement Formula
Pair 1
1 + 9
Complements to 10
Pair 2
2 + 8
Complements to 10
Pair 3
5 + 5
Double fact
Key Concept: Knowing ways to make 10 helps with mental math.
Memory Aid: "Make 10" strategy for adding larger numbers.
Comprehensive Ways to Make 10 Summary
Key Concepts & Definitions
  • Ways to Make 10
    Addition pairs that combine to equal 10 (0+10, 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5)
  • Complementary Pairs
    Number pairs that add up to 10 (e.g., 3 and 7 are complements of 10)
  • Ten Frame
    A visual tool with 10 spaces used to organize and represent numbers
  • Benchmark Number
    An important reference number (like 10) that helps with calculations
  • Double Fact
    A number added to itself (e.g., 5 + 5 = 10)
Core Rules & Principles
Complement Rule: a + (10 - a) = 10
Any number plus its complement equals 10
Example: 3 + (10 - 3) = 3 + 7 = 10
Commutative Property: a + b = b + a
The order of numbers doesn't change the sum
Example: 4 + 6 = 6 + 4 = 10
Double Fact: 5 + 5 = 10
Half of 10 is 5, so 5 + 5 makes 10
Example: 5 + 5 = 10
Step-by-Step Methods
Method 1: Counting Strategy
1. Start with the known number
2. Count up to 10
3. The number of counts is the missing addend
Method 2: Ten Frame Strategy
1. Place objects in the ten frame
2. Count the empty spaces
3. The empty spaces represent the missing addend
Method 3: Using Known Facts
1. Recall known combinations that make 10
2. Apply the complement principle
3. Verify the answer
Examples (Simple → Advanced)
Simple: 0 + 10 = 10
Adding zero to 10 gives 10
Moderate: 3 + 7 = 10
Using counting or ten frame strategy
Advanced: 6 + 4 = 10
Using commutative property: 6 + 4 = 4 + 6 = 10
Complex: 8 + 2 = 10
Recognizing complement pairs automatically
Tips, Tricks & Common Pitfalls
Tip 1: Use ten frames to visualize making 10.
Tip 2: Remember that 5 + 5 = 10 is a double fact.
Pitfall 1: Forgetting that order doesn't matter in addition.
Pitfall 2: Not recognizing complement pairs automatically.
Key Notes for Memorization
  • Memory Phrase
    "Pairs that make 10: 1 and 9, 2 and 8, 3 and 7, 4 and 6, 5 and 5."
  • Visual Strategy
    Use ten frames to see the relationships between numbers.
  • Practice Pattern
    Start with easier pairs (1+9, 2+8) and work toward harder ones.
  • Check Method
    Always verify your answer by adding the two numbers together.

Questions & Answers

Question: Why is learning ways to make 10 so important for first graders?

Answer: Learning ways to make 10 is crucial because:

  • Benchmark number: 10 is a foundational number in our base-10 system
  • Mental math: Knowing these combinations helps with more complex addition
  • Place value: Understanding 10 prepares students for tens and ones
  • Regrouping: Essential for carrying in addition and borrowing in subtraction
  • Speed: Automatic recall of these facts increases computational fluency

These facts serve as building blocks for all future addition and subtraction.

Question: What are the best ways to help my child practice making 10 at home?

Answer: Effective home practice methods include:

  • Ten frames: Use printable ten frames with counters or coins
  • Games: "Make 10" card games or dice games
  • Real objects: Use fingers, toys, or snacks to create combinations
  • Flashcards: Quick practice with visual cues
  • Chants/songs: Rhythmic repetition of number pairs

Practice for 5-10 minutes daily for maximum effectiveness without fatigue.

Question: How can knowing ways to make 10 help with adding larger numbers?

Answer: Making 10 strategies help with larger numbers through:

  • Decomposing: Breaking apart numbers to make 10 first (e.g., 8 + 5 = 8 + 2 + 3 = 10 + 3 = 13)
  • Compensation: Adjusting numbers to make friendly 10s
  • Regrouping: Understanding when to carry in addition
  • Subtraction: Using 10 to subtract across zeros
  • Mental math: Creating benchmarks for estimation

This builds a strong foundation for multi-digit arithmetic.