📚 Detailed Explanation of Fact Families
In Year 2 maths, learning about fact families helps us understand how numbers work together in addition and subtraction, or multiplication and division. A fact family is a group of related maths facts that use the same numbers. When we know a fact family, it’s easier to solve problems because we can see how numbers in addition and subtraction, or multiplication and division, are connected.
🔢 What Are Fact Families?
A fact family is a set of three numbers that make different maths sentences by adding and subtracting, or multiplying and dividing. These facts are linked because they use the same numbers.
➕ Fact Families with Addition and Subtraction
For example, look at the numbers 3, 5, and 8. We can make these addition and subtraction facts:
- 3 + 5 = 8
- 5 + 3 = 8
- 8 – 3 = 5
- 8 – 5 = 3
All these equations belong to the same fact family because they use the same three numbers (3, 5, and 8).
✖️ Fact Families with Multiplication and Division
Fact families also work with multiplication and division. For example, the numbers 2, 4, and 8 make this fact family:
- 2 × 4 = 8
- 4 × 2 = 8
- 8 ÷ 2 = 4
- 8 ÷ 4 = 2
These four facts show how multiplication and division are connected.
🌟 Why is Understanding Fact Families Important?
Learning fact families helps you:
- Understand how addition and subtraction are related, and how multiplication and division work together.
- Solve maths problems faster because you can use one fact to find another.
- Build strong number sense, which means knowing how numbers fit and work together.
- Feel more confident when doing mental maths or checking your answers.
📝 How to Practice Fact Families
- Write down three numbers.
- Make all the addition and subtraction facts you can with those numbers.
- Do the same for multiplication and division if those numbers work.
- Try to say them out loud or use objects like counters or blocks to see the facts.
By learning fact families, you are building important skills to help with all kinds of maths problems in Year 2 and beyond!
🧩 20 Examination-Style Questions with Answers on Fact Families for Year 2
1. Multiple Choice
Which of these numbers make a fact family?
a) 2, 3, 5
b) 4, 6, 10
c) 5, 5, 11
Answer: b) 4, 6, 10
2. Fill in the Blanks
___ + 5 = 9
9 – ___ = 5
Answer: 4
3. Simple Addition and Subtraction
Write the fact family for these numbers: 7, 3, and 10.
Answer: 7 + 3 = 10, 3 + 7 = 10, 10 – 7 = 3, 10 – 3 = 7
4. Multiple Choice
Which number does not belong in this fact family: 8, 2, 11?
a) 8
b) 2
c) 11
Answer: c) 11
5. Fill in the Blanks
5 + ___ = 12
12 – 5 = ___
Answer: 7
6. True or False
9 – 4 = 5 is part of the fact family with numbers 4, 5, and 9.
Answer: True
7. Write the Missing Numbers
__ + 6 = 13
13 – __ = 7
Answer: 7
8. Multiple Choice
Which fact family is correct?
a) 3, 10, 7
b) 4, 8, 11
c) 5, 9, 15
Answer: a) 3, 10, 7
9. Fill in the Blanks
___ + 9 = 15
15 – ___ = 6
Answer: 6
10. Write all four facts for these numbers: 2, 8, 10.
Answer: 2 + 8 = 10, 8 + 2 = 10, 10 – 2 = 8, 10 – 8 = 2
11. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is NOT true?
a) 6 + 4 = 10
b) 10 – 4 = 6
c) 6 + 5 = 11
Answer: c) 6 + 5 = 11
12. Fill in the Blanks
___ + 4 = 9
9 – ___ = 5
Answer: 5
13. True or False
In the fact family 7, 2, 9, the statement 9 – 7 = 2 is true.
Answer: True
14. Write a Fact Family for 5, 12, and 7
Answer: 5 + 7 = 12, 7 + 5 = 12, 12 – 5 = 7, 12 – 7 = 5
15. Multiple Choice
Which pairs form a correct fact family?
a) 3, 7, 10
b) 5, 5, 11
c) 4, 6, 11
Answer: a) 3, 7, 10
16. Fill in the Blanks
___ + 10 = 15
15 – ___ = 5
Answer: 5
17. Write the Subtraction Fact from this Family: 9, 1, 10
Answer: 10 – 9 = 1 and 10 – 1 = 9
18. Multiple Choice
Which number completes the fact family?
__ + 8 = 14
a) 5
b) 6
c) 7
Answer: b) 6
(Note: Here 6 + 8 = 14, so 6 is correct)
19. Fill in the Blanks
___ + 3 = 8
8 – ___ = 5
Answer: 5
20. Write all four facts for 1, 11, and 12
Answer: 1 + 11 = 12, 11 + 1 = 12, 12 – 1 = 11, 12 – 11 = 1
These questions help you practise recognising, completing, and writing fact families with addition and subtraction in Year 2 maths. Try going through each carefully, and check your answers to build your confidence! 💪
