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Topmarks Hit the Button maths: doubles and halves

Educational Maths Games

Topmarks Hit the Button maths: doubles and halves

Use age-appropriate, adult-approved play examples to build fluency with doubling and halving facts.

Quick answer

Doubles and halves are simple maths facts you can learn quickly using games like Topmarks Hit the Button. Doubles are when you add the same number to itself (like 4 + 4 = 8), and halves are when you split a number into two equal parts (like half of 8 is 4). Practising these facts helps you become faster at mental maths.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will know your doubles and halves up to 20 and be able to use them quickly in games and real life. Success signs:

You can say the double of any number from 1 to 10 instantly.
You can split any even number from 2 to 20 into two equal parts.
You can play a game like Topmarks Hit the Button and get quick answers.
You can use doubles and halves to solve simple problems in your daily life.

Why this matters

Doubles and halves are important because they help you do mental maths faster. When you know that 6 + 6 = 12, you can quickly work out that 6 × 2 = 12. When you know that half of 10 is 5, you can split a group of 10 toys equally between two friends. These facts are also used in many games, puzzles, and everyday situations, so learning them helps you become more confident with numbers.

How it works

Doubles are when you add the same number to itself. For example:

2 + 2 = 4
5 + 5 = 10
7 + 7 = 14

Halves are when you split a number into two equal parts. For example:

Half of 6 is 3 (because 3 + 3 = 6)
Half of 10 is 5 (because 5 + 5 = 10)
Half of 16 is 8 (because 8 + 8 = 16)

You can think of doubles as making equal groups, and halves as sharing equally.

Examples you can see

Here are some examples to help you understand doubles and halves: Example 1: Doubling with counters If you have 3 counters and you get 3 more, you now have 3 + 3 = 6 counters. So, double 3 is 6. Example 2: Halving with apples If you have 8 apples and want to share them equally between 2 friends, each friend gets 4 apples. So, half of 8 is 4. Example 3: Real-life doubles and halves

You have 5 stickers, and your friend has 5 stickers. Together, you have 5 + 5 = 10 stickers. So, double 5 is 10.
You have 12 marbles and want to share them equally with your sibling. Each of you gets 6 marbles. So, half of 12 is 6.

Example 4: Doubling and halving in a game In a game, you might have 7 points and need to double them for a bonus. That means 7 + 7 = 14 points. Or, if you have 18 points and want to split them into two equal teams, each team gets 9 points. So, half of 18 is 9.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Magic Number Garden You are a gardener in a magical garden where numbers grow on plants! Each plant has a number, and you must collect doubles and halves to make a special potion.

1st time: You find a plant with 3. You need to collect the double. What is 3 + 3?
2nd time: You find a plant with 6. You need to collect the half. What is half of 6?
3rd time: You find a plant with 8. You need to collect the double. What is 8 + 8?
4th time: You find a plant with 10. You need to collect the half. What is half of 10?
5th time: You find a plant with 12. You need to collect the double. What is 12 + 12?

Answer these questions to collect your magic numbers and make your potion!

Common mistakes

Mistake: Thinking that half of 9 is 4.5.
Why it happens: Children often get confused when a number is odd.
Fix: Remember that halves work only with even numbers. If a number is odd, it cannot be split into two equal parts. 9 cannot be split into two equal whole numbers.
Mistake: Saying that double 7 is 15.
Why it happens: Children might get confused between addition and multiplication.
Fix: Remember that double means "add the same number to itself." So 7 + 7 = 14.
Mistake: Forgetting that double 0 is 0.
Why it happens: Zero can be tricky because it seems like nothing.
Fix: Double 0 means 0 + 0 = 0.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:

Practising doubles and halves with everyday objects like toys, counters, or fruit.
Using games like Topmarks Hit the Button to make learning fun and fast.
Asking questions like, "What is double 4?" or "What is half of 10?" during playtime.
Encouraging children to say the answers out loud to build confidence.
Not worrying if a child gets it wrong the first time – practice makes progress!

Practice questions

What is double 3?
What is half of 8?
What is double 9?
What is half of 14?
What is double 5?
What is half of 18?
What is double 11?
What is half of 12?
What is double 7?
What is half of 16?

Answers:

FAQ

What is a double in maths?

A double is when you add the same number to itself. For example, 4 + 4 = 8, so 8 is the double of 4.

What is a half in maths?

A half is when you split a number into two equal parts. For example, half of 6 is 3 because 3 + 3 = 6.

Why are doubles and halves important?

Doubles and halves help you learn mental maths faster and are used in many games and daily life situations.

How can I practice doubles and halves?

You can practice by using counters, playing games like Topmarks Hit the Button, or asking questions during playtime.

Can odd numbers be halved?

Odd numbers can be halved, but the result is not a whole number. For example, half of 7 is 3.5.