Fact Families

Practice "fact families" to understand the relationship between addition and subtraction and to assist in memorization. For example; 7+8=15, 8+7=15, 15-8=7, and 15-7=8 make up a "fact family" since all of the problems show the same number relationship, stated in different ways. This will help in learning the four facts while demonstrating the relationship between addition and subtraction and the commutative property of math. This is especially valuable when the addition facts have been memorized and the subtraction facts are proving difficult. By using this method, you are providing future information that can be transferred to the understanding of the relationship between multiplication and division. Have your child make a poster with the "7,8,15 fact family" and display it on his/her bedroom door or other frequently observed place. Focus on this one "fact family" until your child feels confident, then move on to another "fact family".