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➕ Kindergarten math · Add & Subtract

Break a number into parts

Two parts make the whole. If the whole is 5 and one part is 2, the other part is 3.

Worked example

The whole is 3. One part is 1. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
3?1
Answer: 2
The two parts make 3. 1 and ? make 3. 1 + 2 = 3, so the missing part is 2. Answer: 2.

For grown-ups: Decompose numbers ≤10 in more than one way (number bonds). Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS K.OA.A.3
What this practises, for teachers

Practices decompose numbers ≤10 in more than one way (number bonds) (K.OA.A.3). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

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For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

On the board with this skill:

More printables, with answer keys, for this grade:

Try three

  1. The whole is 5. One part is 1. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    5?1
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 4
    The two parts make 5. 1 and ? make 5. 1 + 4 = 5, so the missing part is 4. Answer: 4.
  2. The whole is 4. One part is 2. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    4?2
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 2
    The two parts make 4. 2 and ? make 4. 2 + 2 = 4, so the missing part is 2. Answer: 2.
  3. The whole is 3. One part is 1. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    3?1
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 2
    The two parts make 3. 1 and ? make 3. 1 + 2 = 3, so the missing part is 2. Answer: 2.

Before and after

Learn first: Put together, take apart (K)

Comes next: Make 10 (K)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Break a number into parts (Kindergarten)

  1. The whole is 5. One part is 1. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    51?
  2. The whole is 4. One part is 3. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    4?3
  3. The whole is 4. One part is 1. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    41?
  4. The whole is 4. One part is 2. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    42?
  5. The whole is 5. One part is 1. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    51?
  6. The whole is 5. One part is 4. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    54?
  7. The whole is 3. One part is 1. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    31?
  8. The whole is 4. One part is 3. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    43?
  9. The whole is 4. One part is 2. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    42?
  10. The whole is 5. One part is 3. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    53?
  11. The whole is 4. One part is 3. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    43?
  12. The whole is 4. One part is 1. What is the other part? (A number bond: the two parts make the whole.)
    41?

Answer key

  1. 4
  2. 1
  3. 3
  4. 2
  5. 4
  6. 1
  7. 2
  8. 1
  9. 2
  10. 2
  11. 1
  12. 3

More kindergarten skills: all kindergarten math skills, or every grade at math skills.