What is a fact family?
A fact family is a set of number sentences that use the same three numbers. It shows the relationship between these numbers.
A fact family can involve addition and subtraction, or multiplication and division:
Fact Families Year 2
Let's multiply and divide - Lesson 2: Using fact families
Use fact families, arrays, number lines and known facts to multiply and divide in this series of five complete Maths lessons for Year 2.Building on your class's growing understanding of multiplicat...
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Fact Families Year 2
Fact Families Addition and Subtraction
In a fact family that uses addition and subtraction, there will always be two addition number sentences, and two subtraction number sentences.
Look at this example:
Addition and subtraction fact family example
The addition of two numbers can be done in any order, so we can write 3 + 5 = 8 and 5 + 3 = 8
We must subtract a smaller number from the largest number, so we can write 8 - 5 = 3 and 8 - 3 = 5
Multiplication and Division Fact Families
In a fact family that uses multiplication and division, there will always be two multiplication number sentences, and two division number sentences.
Look at this example:
Multiplication and division fact family example
The multiplication of two numbers can be done in any order, so we can write 2 x 8 = 16 and 8 x 2 = 16
We must divide the largest number by a smaller number, so we can write 16 ÷ 2 = 8 and 16 ÷ 8 = 2
When do children learn about Fact Families?
According to the National Curriculum Maths objectives, children start to learn about, and apply their knowledge of, fact families in KS1.
In Year 1, children should be taught to:
- represent and use number bonds and related subtraction facts within 20
In Year 2, children should be taught to:
- recall and use addition and subtraction facts to 20 fluently, and derive and use related facts up to 100
- recognise and use the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction and use this to check calculations and solve missing number problems
- calculate mathematical statements for multiplication and division within the multiplication tables and write them using the multiplication (×), division (÷) and equals (=) signs
