Addition word problems

When two groups join together, you add. Look at these stories — each one needs a sum.

Story 1 — joining two groups

Maya has 4 red marbles and 3 blue marbles. How many marbles does she have in total?

Numbers: 4 and 3. Action: putting them together. Question: total.

4 + 3 = 7. Maya has 7 marbles.

There are 9 ducks on the pond. Then 6 more ducks land on the pond. How many ducks are on the pond now?

9 + 6 = 15. There are 15 ducks on the pond.

(Notice this one crosses the ten — but you know how to handle that.)

Jake bought 8 apples in the morning and 5 more in the afternoon. How many apples did he buy that day?

8 + 5 = 13. Jake bought 13 apples.

Watch for words like:

If the story shows things coming together, it is almost always addition.

A bird had 6 eggs in the nest. The next day she laid 4 more. How many eggs are in the nest now?

(Answer at the bottom.)

Answer: 6 + 4 = 10 eggs.