Ten is special. The pairs that make ten are worth knowing by heart.
Step 1: Let's Learn
Read it, or press Listen and follow the words.
Why ten and not some other number
We have ten fingers, so people built the whole number system around ten. Every bigger number is made of tens.
The frame shows it
Put six in a ten frame. The empty spaces show exactly what is missing, so you can see the partner without counting.
The pairs
1 and 9. 2 and 8. 3 and 7. 4 and 6. 5 and 5. Five pairs is all there is to learn.
They follow a pattern
As one side goes up by one, the other goes down by one. They have to, or the total would change.
Where you will use them
Adding 8 + 5 is much easier once you know 8 needs 2 to reach ten. Ten pairs are the first shortcut in arithmetic.
Step 2: Try It Yourself
Count the empty spaces. That is the missing number.
How many
6 and 4 make 10. There are 4 empty spaces.
Step 3: Watch an Example
One step at a time.
Watch Mia Fill the Frame
Mia has six counters in a ten frame.
- Step 1
She counts the counters: six.
Step 4: Your Turn
Practice makes it stick.
The Egg Box
Problem 1 of 1
A box holds ten eggs. There are seven. How many spaces are empty?
Make Ten
1 of 4
8 and how many make 10?
2 of 4
5 and how many make 10?
3 of 4
3 and how many make 10?
4 of 4
9 and how many make 10?
Step 5: Quick Check
Show what you know.
Question 1 of 1
4 and how many make 10?
What You Learned
- Pairs that make ten are worth knowing by heart.
- The empty spaces in a ten frame show what is missing.
- 1 and 9, 2 and 8, 3 and 7, 4 and 6, 5 and 5.