🔍 Detailed Explanation of Fact Families

Fact families are groups of related addition and subtraction facts that use the same numbers. Understanding fact families helps us see how addition and subtraction are connected. For example, if we know 3 + 5 = 8, we can also know 5 + 3 = 8. From there, we can find related subtraction facts: 8 – 3 = 5 and 8 – 5 = 3. These four facts belong to one fact family.

In Year 3 Maths, according to the UK National Curriculum, fact families play an important role in developing number sense and fluency with addition and subtraction. By learning fact families, Key Stage 2 students improve their ability to solve problems and understand how numbers work together. This understanding also helps with mental maths, making it quicker to calculate answers in everyday situations.

Here are some examples of fact families suitable for Year 3 students:

  • Fact family for numbers 4, 7, and 11:
    • 4 + 7 = 11
    • 7 + 4 = 11
    • 11 – 4 = 7
    • 11 – 7 = 4
  • Fact family for numbers 6, 9, and 15:
    • 6 + 9 = 15
    • 9 + 6 = 15
    • 15 – 6 = 9
    • 15 – 9 = 6

Remember, learning fact families helps you understand that addition and subtraction are closely linked. Practising with fact families makes you faster at solving number problems and builds a strong foundation for more difficult maths later on. Try making your own fact families with different numbers to practise!

📝 20 Examination-Style Questions on Fact Families for Year 3 Maths

These fact family questions are perfect for Year 3 students studying maths in Key Stage 2. They will help you practise and understand how addition and subtraction facts are connected in fact families.

Question 1

Write the fact family for these numbers: 7, 3, 10.

Question 2

Complete the fact family with these numbers: 4, 9, 13. Write two addition and two subtraction sentences.

Question 3

Find the missing number to complete the fact family:
_ + 6 = 14
14 – _ = 6

Question 4

Circle the three numbers that make a fact family from these options: 8, 15, 7, 22.

Question 5

Write the fact family for the numbers 12, 8, and 4.

Question 6

Which two numbers join with 11 to make this fact family?
11 + _ = 18
18 – _ = 11

Question 7

Fill in the blanks to make a fact family:
9 + _ = 17
17 – 9 = _

Question 8

True or False?
The fact family for 5, 12, and 17 has 5 + 12 = 17.

Question 9

Write the fact family for these numbers in words: 20, 5, 15.

Question 10

Find the fact family for 23, 7, and 16 using addition and subtraction sentences.

Question 11

Write a subtraction sentence from this fact family of 9, 6, and 15.

Question 12

Which fact family is shown by these equations?
3 + 14 = 17
17 – 14 = 3

Question 13

Fill in the missing numbers:
_ + 10 = 18
18 – 8 = _

Question 14

Choose the correct fact family for 21, 9, and 12.

Question 15

Write all four sentences in the fact family for 5, 8, and 13.

Question 16

Explain why 9, 11, and 21 do NOT make a fact family.

Question 17

If the fact family includes 4 and 15, what is the third number? Write the fact family.

Question 18

Find two addition and two subtraction facts from this fact family: 30, 12, 18.

Question 19

Fill the gap:
18 – _ = 9
_ + 9 = 18

Question 20

Write a fact family using the numbers 7, 14, and 21 and explain the links between the addition and subtraction facts.

Use these questions to practise facts and improve your understanding of how addition and subtraction come together in fact families!

✅ Answers to the 20 Examination-Style Fact Families Questions

Here are clear and simple answers to the 20 fact family questions designed for Year 3 students, following the UK National Curriculum for Key Stage 2 maths. Fact families help us understand how numbers in addition and subtraction work together.

What is a Fact Family? 🤔

A fact family is a group of related addition and subtraction (or multiplication and division) facts using the same numbers. In Key Stage 2, we focus mainly on addition and subtraction fact families to build strong number bonds and improve mental maths skills.

Example of a Fact Family:
For the numbers 5, 3, and 8, the fact family includes these four sums:

  • 3 + 5 = 8
  • 5 + 3 = 8
  • 8 – 3 = 5
  • 8 – 5 = 3

Answers to the 20 Fact Family Questions

  1. Numbers: 4, 6, 10
    Facts:
    4 + 6 = 10
    6 + 4 = 10
    10 – 4 = 6
    10 – 6 = 4
  2. Numbers: 7, 2, 9
    Facts:
    7 + 2 = 9
    2 + 7 = 9
    9 – 7 = 2
    9 – 2 = 7
  3. Numbers: 8, 1, 9
    Facts:
    8 + 1 = 9
    1 + 8 = 9
    9 – 8 = 1
    9 – 1 = 8
  4. Numbers: 5, 5, 10
    Facts:
    5 + 5 = 10
    5 + 5 = 10 (same as above)
    10 – 5 = 5
    10 – 5 = 5 (same as above)
  5. Numbers: 3, 4, 7
    Facts:
    3 + 4 = 7
    4 + 3 = 7
    7 – 3 = 4
    7 – 4 = 3
  6. Numbers: 9, 6, 15
    Facts:
    9 + 6 = 15
    6 + 9 = 15
    15 – 9 = 6
    15 – 6 = 9
  7. Numbers: 10, 1, 11
    Facts:
    10 + 1 = 11
    1 + 10 = 11
    11 – 10 = 1
    11 – 1 = 10
  8. Numbers: 2, 7, 9
    Facts:
    2 + 7 = 9
    7 + 2 = 9
    9 – 2 = 7
    9 – 7 = 2
  9. Numbers: 6, 6, 12
    Facts:
    6 + 6 = 12
    6 + 6 = 12 (same as above)
    12 – 6 = 6
    12 – 6 = 6 (same as above)
  10. Numbers: 8, 7, 15
    Facts:
    8 + 7 = 15
    7 + 8 = 15
    15 – 8 = 7
    15 – 7 = 8
  11. Numbers: 4, 3, 7
    Facts:
    4 + 3 = 7
    3 + 4 = 7
    7 – 4 = 3
    7 – 3 = 4
  12. Numbers: 5, 2, 7
    Facts:
    5 + 2 = 7
    2 + 5 = 7
    7 – 5 = 2
    7 – 2 = 5
  13. Numbers: 3, 6, 9
    Facts:
    3 + 6 = 9
    6 + 3 = 9
    9 – 3 = 6
    9 – 6 = 3
  14. Numbers: 1, 10, 11
    Facts:
    1 + 10 = 11
    10 + 1 = 11
    11 – 1 = 10
    11 – 10 = 1
  15. Numbers: 7, 7, 14
    Facts:
    7 + 7 = 14
    7 + 7 = 14 (same as above)
    14 – 7 = 7
    14 – 7 = 7 (same as above)
  16. Numbers: 4, 9, 13
    Facts:
    4 + 9 = 13
    9 + 4 = 13
    13 – 4 = 9
    13 – 9 = 4
  17. Numbers: 6, 5, 11
    Facts:
    6 + 5 = 11
    5 + 6 = 11
    11 – 6 = 5
    11 – 5 = 6
  18. Numbers: 3, 7, 10
    Facts:
    3 + 7 = 10
    7 + 3 = 10
    10 – 3 = 7
    10 – 7 = 3
  19. Numbers: 2, 8, 10
    Facts:
    2 + 8 = 10
    8 + 2 = 10
    10 – 2 = 8
    10 – 8 = 2
  20. Numbers: 1, 9, 10
    Facts:
    1 + 9 = 10
    9 + 1 = 10
    10 – 1 = 9
    10 – 9 = 1

Study Tips for Fact Families 📚

  • Always write the addition facts first, as addition joins two parts to make a whole.
  • Then write the subtraction facts by subtracting each smaller number from the biggest number.
  • Practise with number bonds you know well to get quicker.
  • Use objects like cubes or counters to see the facts in real life.
  • Remember, fact families help with mental maths and understanding how numbers work together.

Keep practising, and you will become a fact family expert! 🎉