Stage 2 of 20
Making Tens
Master number pairs that add to 10. These complements unlock faster addition and subtraction for the rest of the curriculum.
Memorize friendly partners of 10
Every digit has a partner that completes a ten: 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5. When you “make a ten” first, larger sums feel smaller and calmer.
Why this mental math skill matters
Making tens unlocks faster addition. Once partners of 10 are automatic, larger sums become a calm two-step process instead of a scramble.
Worked examples
Study each example slowly. Say the steps aloud — verbal rehearsal strengthens mental arithmetic memory.
7 + 3
- Recognize 7 and 3 as partners of 10.
- No regrouping needed.
- Answer is a clean ten.
Answer: 10
8 + 5
- Take 2 from 5 to finish the ten with 8.
- 8 + 2 = 10, leftover 3.
- 10 + 3 = 13.
Answer: 13
6 + 7
- 6 needs 4 to make 10.
- Split 7 into 4 + 3.
- 10 + 3 = 13.
Answer: 13
Tips for success
- Memorize 1+9 through 5+5 as “friends of ten.”
- When adding 8 + 5, pull 2 from 5 to finish the ten first.
- Write a quick ten-frame in your mind, not on paper.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating every sum as counting up from zero.
- Forgetting to track the leftover after making a ten.
How to practice this stage
Quiz partners of 10 for one minute, then practice make-ten addition in the interactive drill. Celebrate explaining the split out loud.
Interactive practice
Stage 2 Drill
Find the missing partner that makes 10, or complete the make-ten sum.
Solve
—
FAQ: Making Tens
Why is making tens important for kids?
It reduces working-memory load and prepares children for bridging, two-digit addition, and later place-value strategies.
Is making tens the same as number bonds?
Number bonds to 10 are the pairs; making tens is the strategy of using those pairs while computing.