Addition and subtraction within 10
You can already count and you can compare. Today we'll bring those skills together and learn something new — adding and taking away. We call it addition and subtraction.
Adding — addition
When you have three cars and your friend gives you two more, how many do you have now? That's an addition question. Let's count:
three cars and two cars are five cars in total
Adding is putting together. We use the sign + (plus).
Taking away — subtraction
When you have five cookies and you eat two, how many are left? That's a subtraction question. Let's count:
five cookies, eat two, three left
Subtracting is taking some away. We use the sign – (minus).
Best helper — your fingers
Your fingers are a fantastic counter. To work out 3 + 2, hold up three fingers, then add two more, and count them all. The answer is five.
For 5 – 2, hold up five fingers and bend two down. How many are left up? Three.
What you will learn
In this topic you'll find short articles for you, and one for your parents:
- Adding — addition through simple examples
- Taking away — subtraction through simple examples
- Simple problems — short add-and-subtract puzzles within 10
- For parents — how to help at home
Try the Addition and subtraction exercise on the "up to 10" level, or Adding pictures, where you add what you see.