Adding

Adding

Adding

Look at the meadow. First there were three bunnies. Then two more came over. How many bunnies are on the meadow now?

three bunnies and two bunnies make five bunnies altogether

What we just did is called addition. We added one group to another.

The plus sign

When we add, we use the sign +, called plus:

  • 3 + 2 reads "three plus two"
  • it means: take three and add two more

Counting on fingers

Two child hands with fingers held up

Look at the picture. First we hold up four fingers. Then we add two more. Together you see all the fingers up and you count them:

one, two, three, four, five, six!

4 + 2 = 6.

The trick — counting on

You don't have to start from one. To work out 4 + 2, say "four" in your head and then count on just two more: "five, six". Done!

Words

  • plus — the sign +
  • add — put two numbers together
  • sum — the result of addition (3 + 2 = 5; five is the sum)

Examples within 10

  • 1 + 1 = 2
  • 2 + 3 = 5
  • 4 + 4 = 8
  • 6 + 3 = 9
  • 5 + 5 = 10

Try it yourself

In the Adding pictures exercise you'll see images and add them up.

In Addition and subtraction, pick the "up to 10" level. Click the right answer.

When adding feels easy, look at Taking away — that's the opposite move.