Making 10 to Add
Making 10 is a smart strategy for adding numbers. Instead of counting on your fingers, you first make one number reach 10, and then add what is left.
This works because adding to 10 is easy: 10 + 3 = 13, 10 + 5 = 15.
What is Making 10 to Add - Class 1 Maths (Addition (Grade 1))?
The make a 10 strategy has 3 steps:
- Look at the bigger number. Find how many more it needs to reach 10.
- Break the smaller number into two parts — one part fills the gap to 10.
- Add the leftover part to 10.
8 + 5 → 8 + 2 + 3 → 10 + 3 = 13
Solved Examples
Example 1: 8 + 5
Question: What is 8 + 5?
Think:
- 8 needs 2 more to reach 10
- Break 5 into 2 + 3
- 8 + 2 = 10
- 10 + 3 = 13
Answer: 8 + 5 = 13.
Example 2: 9 + 4
Question: What is 9 + 4?
Think:
- 9 needs 1 to make 10
- Break 4 into 1 + 3
- 9 + 1 = 10
- 10 + 3 = 13
Answer: 9 + 4 = 13.
Example 3: 7 + 6
Question: What is 7 + 6?
Think:
- 7 needs 3 to make 10
- Break 6 into 3 + 3
- 7 + 3 = 10
- 10 + 3 = 13
Answer: 7 + 6 = 13.
Example 4: 6 + 8
Question: What is 6 + 8?
Think:
- 8 is bigger, so start with 8
- 8 needs 2 to make 10
- Break 6 into 2 + 4
- 8 + 2 = 10, 10 + 4 = 14
Answer: 6 + 8 = 14.
Example 5: Ria's Beads
Question: Ria has 9 beads. Priya gives her 7 more. How many beads does Ria have?
Think:
- 9 needs 1 to make 10
- Break 7 into 1 + 6
- 9 + 1 = 10, 10 + 6 = 16
Answer: Ria has 16 beads.
Example 6: 5 + 7
Question: What is 5 + 7?
Think:
- 7 needs 3 to make 10
- Break 5 into 3 + 2
- 7 + 3 = 10, 10 + 2 = 12
Answer: 5 + 7 = 12.
Example 7: Number Bonds to 10
Question: What are the pairs that make 10?
Think:
- 1 + 9 = 10
- 2 + 8 = 10
- 3 + 7 = 10
- 4 + 6 = 10
- 5 + 5 = 10
Answer: The pairs are: (1,9), (2,8), (3,7), (4,6), (5,5).
Key Points to Remember
- The make a 10 strategy works by filling up to 10 first, then adding what remains.
- Know your number bonds to 10: 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5.
- Start with the bigger number and figure out how much more it needs to reach 10.
- Adding to 10 is easy: 10 + any single digit = teen number.
- This strategy replaces counting on fingers for sums above 10.
Practice Problems
- Use make-a-10 to solve 9 + 6.
- What is 8 + 7? Show the make-a-10 steps.
- Find 7 + 5 using make-a-10.
- What pairs of numbers add to 10?
- Kavi has 9 marbles. He wins 8 more. Use make-a-10 to find the total.
- Solve 6 + 9 using the make-a-10 strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the make-a-10 strategy?
It means breaking one number so that one part makes 10 with the other number. Then add the leftover. Example: 8+5 → 8+2=10, 10+3=13.
Q2. Why is making 10 helpful?
Because adding to 10 is easy. 10+1=11, 10+2=12, 10+3=13, and so on. Once you make 10, the rest is simple.
Q3. What are number bonds to 10?
Number bonds to 10 are pairs that add up to 10: 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5.
Q4. Which number should I try to make 10 with?
Usually the bigger number. If adding 8+5, start with 8 because it needs only 2 to reach 10.
Q5. Can this strategy work for any addition?
It works best when one of the numbers is 6, 7, 8, or 9 — close to 10. For very small numbers, counting on is just as fast.
Q6. Is 9 + 7 the same as 7 + 9?
Yes. Both equal 16. But starting from 9 is easier because 9 needs only 1 to make 10.
