
How to Solve Number Bond Examples Using Part Part Whole Model
Number bonds are pairs of numbers that are added together to form another larger number. This is why they are often referred to as number pairs. For example, a number bond looks like this: 9 + 1 = 10.
Children who are aware of number bonds can easily and speedily solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems. Also, they can immediately fill any of the three numbers, if any of them are missing, given the other two numbers.
What are Number Bonds?
A number bond is a model that represents the relationship between a number (whole) and its parts. For example, 4 + 2 = 6.
Addition and Subtraction Using Numbers Bond
Let us understand how to add and subtract using number bonds or number pairs with the help of an example below:
Image: A model representing number bond
Fill the missing numbers using the number bond model given above.
8 = 5 + 3
8 = 3 + 5
8 - 5 = 3
8 - 4 = 4
Multiplication and Division Using Numbers Bond
Let us understand how to multiply and divide using number bonds or number pairs with the help of an example below:
Image: A model representing number bond
Fill the missing numbers using the number bond model given above.
15 = 3 5
15 = 5 3
15 3 = 5
15 5 = 3
Number Bond Examples
Following are some of the number bond examples for different numbers:
Number Bond Examples That Make 5
The number pairs or number bonds that make the number 5 includes:
3 and 2 make 5
4 and 1 make 5
Number Bond Examples That Make 10
The number pairs or number bonds that make the number 10 include:
0 and 10 make 10
1 and 9 make 10
2 and 8 make 10
3 and 7 make 10
4 and 6 make 10
5 and 5 make 10
6 and 4 make 10
7 and 3 make 10
8 and 2 make 10
9 and 1 make 10
Number Bonds Examples That Make 20
The number pairs or number bonds that make the number 20 include:
0 and 20 make 20
1 and 19 make 20
2 and 18 make 20
3 and 17 make 20
4 and 16 make 20
5 and 15 make 30
6 and 14 make 20
7 and 13 make 20
8 and 12 make 20
9 and 11 make 20
10 and 10 make 20
Activities to Teach Children Number Bonds at Home
Here are the different ways that you use to make your child number bond at home:
Give your child 10 different objects such as buttons, sweets, pens, toys, etc., and ask them the questions such as
What do you add to 5 toys to make them 9?
You have 10 buttons, you give 4 to your friends. How many buttons will be left will you?
If you have 10 chocolates and you have to distribute equal chocolates among 5 of your friends, how many chocolates will each friend get?
If a pack of pens contains 5 pens, how many pens will 2 packs contain?
Write a list of 10 numbers and ask your child and check how much time it takes them to look for another number that makes up each pair ( 2 and 8, 5 and 5, and 7 and 3, etc).
Print or draw number cards and ask your child to match them into number pairs or number bonds.
Conclusion
Thus, number bonds are pairs of numbers that are added together to make another larger number. A number bond is the easiest tool for children to learn arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Encouraging children to learn number bonds up to 10 or 20 can help them to solve arithmetic calculations accurately and confidently.
FAQs on Number Bond Example with Visual Part Part Whole Method
1. What is a number bond example?
A number bond example shows how two or more numbers combine to make a total. For example, if the whole is 10, the parts can be 7 and 3 because 7 + 3 = 10. Number bonds visually break a number into parts to help children understand addition and subtraction. They are often shown using a circle for the whole and two smaller circles for the parts.
2. What is a number bond in Maths?
A number bond is a simple mathematical model that shows the relationship between a whole number and its parts. It represents:
- The whole (total)
- Two or more parts
3. How do you solve a number bond step by step?
To solve a number bond, you identify the whole and find the missing part using addition or subtraction. Follow these steps:
- Step 1: Identify the whole number.
- Step 2: Identify the known part.
- Step 3: Subtract the known part from the whole.
12 − 7 = 5, so the missing part is 5.
4. What are number bonds to 10 examples?
Number bonds to 10 are pairs of numbers that add up to 10. Common examples include:
- 1 + 9 = 10
- 2 + 8 = 10
- 3 + 7 = 10
- 4 + 6 = 10
- 5 + 5 = 10
5. Why are number bonds important in early Maths?
Number bonds are important because they build a strong foundation for addition and subtraction skills. They help learners:
- Understand part–whole relationships
- Develop mental calculation strategies
- Improve number fluency
6. What is the difference between a number bond and an addition sentence?
The main difference is that a number bond shows part–whole relationships visually, while an addition sentence shows the calculation symbolically. For example:
- Number bond: Whole = 9, Parts = 4 and 5
- Addition sentence: 4 + 5 = 9
7. Can you give a number bond example for 20?
A number bond example for 20 is 13 and 7 because 13 + 7 = 20. Other examples include:
- 10 + 10 = 20
- 15 + 5 = 20
- 18 + 2 = 20
8. How do number bonds help with subtraction?
Number bonds help with subtraction by showing that subtraction is the inverse of addition. For example, if 8 + 6 = 14, then:
- 14 − 8 = 6
- 14 − 6 = 8
9. What are number bond diagrams?
A number bond diagram is a visual model that shows a whole number connected to its parts. It usually includes:
- One large circle (the whole)
- Two smaller circles (the parts)
10. What are common mistakes when learning number bonds?
A common mistake in number bonds is confusing the whole with one of the parts. Students may also:
- Add incorrectly due to weak basic facts
- Forget that subtraction finds the missing part
- Mismatch parts that do not total the whole





















