Make 10
Make 10: The Pairs That Matter Most
There are only six pairs, and nearly everything else in addition and subtraction leans on them.
The pairs that make 10
| Pair | Turned around | Take away |
|---|---|---|
| 1 + 9 = 10 | 9 + 1 = 10 | 10 − 1 = 9 |
| 2 + 8 = 10 | 8 + 2 = 10 | 10 − 2 = 8 |
| 3 + 7 = 10 | 7 + 3 = 10 | 10 − 3 = 7 |
| 4 + 6 = 10 | 6 + 4 = 10 | 10 − 4 = 6 |
| 5 + 5 = 10 | same fact | 10 − 5 = 5 |
How to learn them
Hold up all ten, fold some down. 7 up means 3 down. The hands show the pair at once.
Put 6 counters on a ten-frame and look at the 4 empty squares. Children start to see the gap without counting. Print ten-frame sheets.
Once the pairs are secure, teach the make a ten strategy: 8 + 5 is 8 + 2 + 3, or 10 + 3.
Play the make 10 game
Every question is a pair that makes 10
Free to play · no signup · works on phones, tablets and computers
Quick quiz
Make 10 FAQ
What are the make 10 facts?
1 + 9, 2 + 8, 3 + 7, 4 + 6 and 5 + 5, plus their turnarounds. Adding 0 + 10 makes six pairs.
Is this the same as number bonds to 10?
Yes. Number bonds to 10 is the name often used in the UK and Singapore-style math. In the US you'll also see make a ten and friends of ten.
Is Sumtown really free?
Yes. The whole game plays free in your browser, with no signup, no ads and no time limit. All fourteen mini games are in it. An iPhone app is on its way, and you can read what it will add.
An app is on its way
We're building a Sumtown app for iPhone with the parts that need a real app: offline play for car rides, a town map that remembers how far your child got, and a parent report on every fact. Until then, the whole game is free right here.
Coming soon on theApp Store