Using a part-whole model

What is a part-whole model?

A part-whole model can be used to show the parts that make up a whole number.

You can use them to show relationship between the whole and the parts that make up the whole.

This is can be useful to make connections between addition and subtraction.

Activity: How to use a part whole model

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Using a part-whole model

This part-whole model has two parts that connect to a whole.

A part-whole model can be shown in different ways, but each of these models show two parts that add up to a whole.

You can use addition to work out the whole number by adding the parts together.

In this model you know that the whole number is 8, because 3 add 5 equals 8.

However, sometimes you know what the whole number is, but one of the parts is missing.

You can use the whole number and subtraction to find the missing part.

If you subtract the part that you do know from the whole, you can work out the value of the missing part.

In this example, if you take away 5 from 8, you find the missing part is 3.

8 - 5 = 3

You can always check you answer by adding the parts together again.

5 + 3 = 8

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3