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Educational Maths Games

DragonBox maths: splitting numbers

Use age-appropriate, adult-approved play examples to break numbers apart to see number bonds.

Quick answer

DragonBox maths: splitting numbers is a fun way to learn how numbers can be broken apart into smaller parts. It helps you understand number bonds and how numbers relate to each other, which makes addition and subtraction easier.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to split numbers into different parts and see how they fit together again. You will know that 5 can be split into 2 and 3, or 1 and 4, or 0 and 5, and so on. Success signs:
  • You can split a number into two or more parts.
  • You can show that parts add up to the whole number.
  • You can use splitting to help with simple addition and subtraction.
  • You can play DragonBox maths games and understand how splitting numbers helps.

Why this matters

Splitting numbers is a superpower that helps you understand how numbers work. It's like having a magic key that unlocks addition and subtraction. When you know how to split numbers, you can:
  • Make bigger numbers easier to work with
  • Quickly find answers to problems
  • Understand how numbers fit together
  • Learn to play games like DragonBox maths
In real life, splitting numbers helps you share snacks, count money, and even play games. It's like being a detective who finds all the ways to make a number!

How it works

Splitting numbers means breaking a number into two or more smaller numbers. Let's start with a simple number, like 5. Here's how you can split it:
  1. Start with 5 objects (like 5 counters or 5 toys)
  2. Put some in one group and the rest in another
  3. Count how many are in each group
  4. See that the two groups add up to 5
You can split 5 into:
  • 0 and 5
  • 1 and 4
  • 2 and 3
  • 3 and 2
  • 4 and 1
  • 5 and 0
Each pair of numbers adds up to 5. This is called a number bond.

Examples you can see

Let's look at splitting the number 4. Here are different ways to do it:
First group Second group Total
0 4 0 + 4 = 4
1 3 1 + 3 = 4
2 2 2 + 2 = 4
3 1 3 + 1 = 4
4 0 4 + 0 = 4
Now, let's try with the number 6:
First group Second group Total
0 6 0 + 6 = 6
1 5 1 + 5 = 6
2 4 2 + 4 = 6
3 3 3 + 3 = 6
4 2 4 + 2 = 6
5 1 5 + 1 = 6
6 0 6 + 0 = 6

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Number Treasure Hunt You are a brave explorer looking for treasure in a magical forest. Each tree has a number on it. You must split the number into two groups to find the hidden treasure. Let's say you find a tree with the number 7 on it. 1st time: You split 7 into 3 and 4. You found a small chest! 2nd time: You split 7 into 2 and 5. You found a golden coin! 3rd time: You split 7 into 1 and 6. You found a sparkling gem! 4th time: You split 7 into 0 and 7. You found a big treasure box! Each time, you split the number 7 and found something special. The numbers always add up to 7. Try it with different numbers:
  • Split 8 into two groups
  • Split 3 into two groups
  • Split 10 into two groups

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 5 can only be split into 2 and 3.
    Why it happens: Not trying all the different ways.
    Fix: Try splitting 5 into 0 and 5, 1 and 4, 2 and 3, 3 and 2, 4 and 1, 5 and 0.
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 0 and the number itself make a pair.
    Why it happens: Not thinking about zero as a number.
    Fix: Remember that any number can be split into 0 and itself.
  • Mistake: Thinking that 4 + 3 = 8.
    Why it happens: Adding the parts wrong.
    Fix: Count the parts again and check that they add up to the original number.

Parent and carer guide

Splitting numbers is a great way to help your child understand how numbers work. Here's how to support them:
  • Use everyday objects like toys, fruit, or blocks to show how numbers can be split
  • Ask questions like "How can we split 6 apples into two groups?"
  • Play the DragonBox maths game together and talk about how numbers are split
  • Notice when your child splits numbers naturally in play or games
  • Encourage them to try different ways to split the same number
  • Don't worry if they make mistakes – it's part of learning!
Five-minute activities:
  1. Give your child 5 counters and ask them to split them into two groups
  2. Use a number line to show splitting numbers
  3. Play a game where you say a number and they say two numbers that add up to it
  4. Use a real-life example like splitting a pizza into slices
  5. Draw number bonds on paper to show splitting

Practice questions

  1. Split the number 3 into two parts.
  2. Split the number 6 into two parts.
  3. Split the number 8 into two parts.
  4. Split the number 10 into two parts.
  5. Split the number 12 into two parts.
Answers:
  1. 3 = 0 + 3 or 1 + 2 or 2 + 1 or 3 + 0
  2. 6 = 0 + 6 or 1 + 5 or 2 + 4 or 3 + 3 or 4 + 2 or 5 + 1 or 6 + 0
  3. 8 = 0 + 8 or 1 + 7 or 2 + 6 or 3 + 5 or 4 + 4 or 5 + 3 or 6 + 2 or 7 + 1 or 8 + 0
  4. 10 = 0 + 10 or 1 + 9 or 2 + 8 or 3 + 7 or 4 + 6 or 5 + 5 or 6 + 4 or 7 + 3 or 8 + 2 or 9 + 1 or 10 + 0
  5. 12 = 0 + 12 or 1 + 11 or 2 + 10 or 3 + 9 or 4 + 8 or 5 + 7 or 6 + 6 or 7 + 5 or 8 + 4 or 9 + 3 or 10 + 2 or 11 + 1 or 12 + 0

FAQ

What is splitting numbers in maths?

Splitting numbers means breaking a number into two or more smaller parts. For example, 5 can be split into 2 and 3.

Why do we learn to split numbers?

Splitting numbers helps us understand how numbers work. It makes addition and subtraction easier and helps us solve problems faster.

Can I use splitting numbers in games?

Yes! Games like DragonBox maths use splitting numbers to help you learn. You can also play games at home where you split numbers into groups.

How can I practice splitting numbers at home?

You can use toys, fruit, or blocks to split numbers. Try asking "How can we split 6 into two groups?"

Is splitting numbers the same as addition?

No, splitting numbers is about seeing how parts make a whole. Addition is about combining parts to make a total.