Fact Families

One of the more common concepts taught in first grade math is the concept of a fact family (or fact families). 

A fact family is made up of three numbers. Just as in any family the members, or numbers, are related and there are always at least four math facts to be made with them. 
 

Take, for example, these members of a fact family: 3, 4, and 7.

The Fact Family Relationships

In the family 3, 4, and 7 they are related because you can add two of the numbers to get the last number.

• 3 + 4 = 7

You can also switch the first two numbers, using the commutative property of addition, and still get the same answer.

• 4 + 3 = 7

Fact Family Cousins

If addition is the direct relationship amongst these family members, then subtraction is the family cousin through the inverse property. Simply put, subtraction is the opposite of addition, but it's still related.  The problems still only use the three members of the family.

• 7 - 3 = 4
• 7 - 4 = 3

Keeping Track of All Family Members

Once your child knows the relationships of the fact family members, it's easy to see who is missing at a quick glance. Solving addition and subtraction problems is then much easier and starts to become automatic. Take for example, this problem:

• 3 + ____  =  7

Your child should quickly be able to recognize 4 as the missing family member.