Find Pairs That Make 10 — CCSS.K.OA.4: For any number from...

SECTION 1

Why Do We Love the Number 10?

People have been using the number 10 for a very long time! Look at your hands. You have 10 fingers. That is why people started counting by tens thousands of years ago.

Because we have 10 fingers, our whole number system is built on 10. Knowing which two numbers add up to make 10 is one of the most helpful math skills you will ever learn!

Long Ago

People Counted on Fingers

Early people used their 10 fingers to count things like food and animals.

Ancient Times

Groups of 10

People started grouping things into sets of 10 to make counting easier.

Hundreds of Years Ago

The Ten Frame Was Born

Teachers made a special box with 10 spaces called a ten frame to help kids learn about 10.

Today

You Learn Pairs of 10!

Now you get to learn all the pairs of numbers that add up to 10. This will help you with bigger math later!

So here is our big question: If you have some objects, how many more do you need to make 10? Let's find out!

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What Are Pairs That Make 10?

A pair that makes 10 is two numbers that add together to equal 10. For example, 3 and 7 make a pair because 3 + 7 = 10.

Two Numbers

You always need exactly two numbers. One number is given, and you find the other one.

They Add to 10

When you put the two numbers together, the total is always 10. Not 9, not 11 — exactly 10!

Use Objects or Drawings

You can use blocks, fingers, dots, or pictures to help you count and find the missing number.

Write an Equation

An equation is a math sentence. You write it like this: 6 + 4 = 10. The + means add and the = means equals.

✦ KEY TAKEAWAY

Think of 10 like a full egg carton that holds 10 eggs. If you already put 6 eggs in, how many empty spots are left? 4! So 6 + 4 = 10. You are just finding how many empty spots are left to fill up the carton.

SECTION 3

See It: The Ten Frame

A ten frame is a rectangle with 10 boxes inside. It has 2 rows and 5 boxes in each row. We fill in circles to show a number. The empty boxes tell us how many more we need to get to 10.

This ten frame shows 7 blue circles filled in. There are 3 pink empty spots left. So 7 + 3 = 10!

Look at the ten frame above. The blue circles show the number you start with (7). The pink circles show the empty spots you need to fill. Count the pink circles — there are 3! That means 7 + 3 = 10.

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Writing Equations for Pairs of 10

An equation is a math sentence. It uses numbers and symbols to show what is happening. Let's learn the symbols!

THE MAKE-10 EQUATION

number + partner = 10

The + means "put together." The = means "is the same as." The partner is the number you need to find!

Here are all 9 equations for pairs that make 10:

ALL THE PAIRS OF 10

1+9=10 2+8=10 3+7=10 4+6=10 5+5=10 6+4=10 7+3=10 8+2=10 9+1=10

Notice that 1+9 and 9+1 use the same two numbers! The order does not change the answer. This is called the turn-around fact.

💡 Tip

You can use your fingers to check! Hold up 4 fingers. Now count how many fingers are folded down. There are 6 folded down. So 4 + 6 = 10!

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The Complete List of Make-10 Pairs

Let's see every pair in a table and a picture. This will help you remember them!

All the pairs of numbers that add up to 10

Number You Have	Number You Need	Equation
1	9	1 + 9 = 10
2	8	2 + 8 = 10
3	7	3 + 7 = 10
4	6	4 + 6 = 10
5	5	5 + 5 = 10
6	4	6 + 4 = 10
7	3	7 + 3 = 10
8	2	8 + 2 = 10
9	1	9 + 1 = 10

This rainbow shows how each pair connects. The number 1 connects to 9, 2 connects to 8, 3 connects to 7, 4 connects to 6, and 5 connects to itself!

Look at the rainbow! Each colorful arch connects two numbers that are partners. Notice that 5 is special — it is its own partner! 5 + 5 = 10. We call that a double.

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Let's Solve One Together!

Here is a problem: You have 4 apples. How many more apples do you need to have 10 apples? Let's solve it step by step!

Find the Partner of 4

Step 1 — Read the ProblemYou have 4 apples. You want 10 apples. How many more do you need?

Step 2 — Draw a Ten FrameDraw a ten frame (2 rows of 5 boxes). Color in 4 circles for the 4 apples you already have.

Step 3 — Count the Empty SpotsLook at the ten frame. How many boxes are empty? Count them: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. There are 6 empty boxes!

6 empty spots

Step 4 — Write the EquationNow write it as a math sentence: 4 + 6 = 10. You need 6 more apples!

4 + 6 = 10

Step 5 — Check Your WorkHold up 4 fingers on one hand. Hold up 6 fingers on the other hand. Count them all: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Yes! That is 10!

✓ Correct! 4 + 6 = 10

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Ways to Find Pairs of 10

There are many ways to find the missing number. Some ways use things you can touch. Other ways use things you draw. Let's compare them!

Five strategies for finding pairs of 10

Strategy	How It Works	When to Use It
Fingers	Hold up the first number. Count how many fingers are down.	Anytime! Your fingers are always with you.
Ten Frame	Fill in circles for the number you have. Count the empty boxes.	When you have paper and a pencil.
Counting On	Start at your number and count up to 10. Track how many you counted.	When you are good at counting.
Objects	Use blocks, buttons, or toys. Make a group of 10. Take some away.	When you have things to count.
Memory	Remember the pairs! 1-9, 2-8, 3-7, 4-6, 5-5.	After you have practiced a lot!

✦ KEY TAKEAWAY

Think of finding a pair of 10 like finding a matching sock! If you have one blue sock (like the number 6), you need to search for the other blue sock (the number 4) so you have a complete pair. Every number from 1 to 9 has exactly one matching partner that makes 10!

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Getting Ready for Bigger Math

Knowing pairs of 10 helps you with bigger numbers later. When you learn to add numbers like 8 + 5, you can use your make-10 skills! Here is how this idea grows as you learn more math.

How make-10 pairs connect to future math skills

What You Learn Now	What You Will Learn Next
4 + 6 = 10	14 + 6 = 20 (pairs of 20!)
Finding one missing number	Solving problems like 7 + ? = 13
Using ten frames	Using number lines and number bonds
Adding to make 10	Subtracting from 10 (like 10 − 3 = 7)

When you know your pairs of 10 really well, adding and subtracting bigger numbers gets much easier. You are building a strong math foundation that will help you for years to come!

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Practice Problems

Now it is your turn! Try these problems. Use your fingers, draw a ten frame, or use objects to help you.

PROBLEM 1 — CONCEPTUAL

What does it mean to find a pair that makes 10? Can you name one pair of numbers that adds up to 10?

PROBLEM 2 — BASIC CALCULATION

You have 2 stickers. How many more stickers do you need to have 10 stickers? Write the equation.

PROBLEM 3 — INTERMEDIATE

There are 10 seats on the bus. 6 kids are sitting down. How many seats are empty? Draw a picture and write an equation.

PROBLEM 4 — APPLIED

You are putting cookies into a box that holds 10 cookies. You already put in 5 cookies. Then your friend gives you 3 more cookies to put in. How many more cookies can you fit in the box?

PROBLEM 5 — CRITICAL THINKING

Mia says that every number from 1 to 9 has a different partner that makes 10. But Jake says one number is its own partner. Who is right? Explain why.

SUMMARY

What We Learned

Today we learned about pairs that make 10. For any number from 1 to 9, there is a special partner number that adds up to 10. The pairs are 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, and 5+5. We can find these partners using fingers, ten frames, objects, or counting on.

We also learned to write an equation to show our answer, like 7 + 3 = 10. Remember, order does not matter — these are called turn-around facts (7 + 3 = 10 is the same as 3 + 7 = 10). Knowing these pairs will help you with bigger math problems as you grow. Keep practicing and you will know them by heart!