MyMathKidK-8 Curriculum

Grade 1 Mental Math: Break Apart Strategy

Break larger numbers into tens and ones

What You'll Learn

Break numbers into tens and ones
Add tens first, then ones
Combine partial sums

📖What is Break Apart?

Break apart means splitting a number into smaller, easier pieces. Usually we break into tens and ones.

✏️Example: 14 + 8

Break 14 into 10 + 4. First add: 10 + 8 = 18. Then add: 18 + 4 = 22!

💡Tip

Always start by adding the tens - they are the easiest part!

Worked examples

Real problems from the practice worksheets, solved one step at a time.

Example 1
32 + 5 = ?
1. Break apart both numbers by place value.
2. 32 = 30 + 2
3. 5 = 0 + 5
4. Add the tens: 30 + 0 = 30
5. Add the ones: 2 + 5 = 7
6. Combine: 30 + 7 = 37
Answer: 37
Example 2
39 + 6 = ?
1. Break apart both numbers by place value.
2. 39 = 30 + 9
3. 6 = 0 + 6
4. Add the tens: 30 + 0 = 30
5. Add the ones: 9 + 6 = 15
6. 15 ones = 1 ten and 5 ones (regrouping)
7. Combine: 30 + 15 = 45
Answer: 45
Example 3
27 + 8 = ?
1. Break apart both numbers by place value.
2. 27 = 20 + 7
3. 8 = 0 + 8
4. Add the tens: 20 + 0 = 20
5. Add the ones: 7 + 8 = 15
6. 15 ones = 1 ten and 5 ones (regrouping)
7. Combine: 20 + 15 = 35
Answer: 35

Practice Worksheets

Break Apart Strategy 1

Learn to break apart numbers to add

Break Apart Strategy 2

More break apart practice

Break Apart Strategy 3

Additional break apart practice

Break Apart Strategy 4

Keep practicing break apart

Break Apart Strategy 5

Master break apart strategy

Doubles Plus One

Mixed Mental Math Strategies