What is Addition?
Addition means putting things together or combining groups to find out how many we have in total.
When we add, we are finding out how many altogether.
Example: If you have 2 apples and your friend gives you 3 more apples, you now have 5 apples altogether. This is addition!
The Addition Symbol: +
The symbol we use for addition is called the plus sign: +
We read it as “plus” or “and”.
Example:
- 2 + 3 = 5
- We read this as: “Two plus three equals five” or “Two and three makes five”
The equals sign (=) shows us the answer or the total.
How to Add Single Digit Numbers
Let’s learn addition in three different ways to help you understand better!
Method 1: Counting Objects (Visual Addition)
This is the easiest way to start learning addition!
Example 1: Add 3 + 2
Step 1: Draw or use 3 objects (let’s use stars ⭐)
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Step 2: Draw or use 2 more objects
⭐ ⭐
Step 3: Count all the objects together
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Answer: 3 + 2 = 5
Example 2: Add 4 + 3
Step 1: Show 4 circles ⚫
⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫
Step 2: Add 3 more circles
⚫ ⚫ ⚫
Step 3: Count all together
⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫
Answer: 4 + 3 = 7
Method 2: Using a Number Line
A number line helps us “jump” forward to add numbers.
0 — 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7 — 8 — 9 — 10
Example 1: Add 2 + 3
Step 1: Start at the first number: 2
Step 2: Jump forward 3 times (because we’re adding 3)
- Jump 1: Land on 3
- Jump 2: Land on 4
- Jump 3: Land on 5
Answer: 2 + 3 = 5
Example 2: Add 5 + 2
Step 1: Start at 5
Step 2: Jump forward 2 times
- Jump 1: Land on 6
- Jump 2: Land on 7
Answer: 5 + 2 = 7
Method 3: Counting On (Mental Math)
This is a smart trick! Start with the bigger number and count forward.
Example 1: Add 6 + 2
Step 1: Start with the bigger number: 6
Step 2: Count on 2 more: “6… 7, 8”
Answer: 6 + 2 = 8
Example 2: Add 1 + 7
Step 1: Start with the bigger number: 7 (even though it comes second)
Step 2: Count on 1 more: “7… 8”
Answer: 1 + 7 = 8
Tip: It doesn’t matter which number comes first! 3 + 5 is the same as 5 + 3.
More Examples to Practice
Let’s practice with all three methods:
Example: 4 + 2 = ?
Using Objects:
🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 + 🍎 🍎 = 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎
Answer: 6 apples
Using Number Line: Start at 4, jump 2 times → Land on 6
Counting On: Start at 4, count “4… 5, 6”
Answer: 4 + 2 = 6
Example: 3 + 4 = ?
Using Objects:
🌟 🌟 🌟 + 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 = 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Using Number Line: Start at 3, jump 4 times → Land on 7
Counting On: Start at 4 (bigger number), count “4… 5, 6, 7”
Answer: 3 + 4 = 7
Example: 5 + 3 = ?
Using Objects:
🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 + 🔵 🔵 🔵 = 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵
Using Number Line: Start at 5, jump 3 times → Land on 8
Counting On: Start at 5, count “5… 6, 7, 8”
Answer: 5 + 3 = 8
Tips and Tricks for Addition
Tip 1: Use Your Fingers! 👋
Your fingers are like a number line you always carry with you!
- Hold up the first number of fingers
- Then hold up more fingers for the second number
- Count all the fingers together
Example: For 4 + 3, hold up 4 fingers, then 3 more, and count all together = 7
Tip 2: Start with the Bigger Number
Always start counting from the bigger number—it’s faster!
Example: For 2 + 7, start at 7 and count “7… 8, 9” instead of starting at 2.
Tip 3: Adding 0 is Easy!
When you add 0 to any number, the number stays the same!
- 5 + 0 = 5
- 0 + 3 = 3
- 8 + 0 = 8
Why? Because you’re not adding anything new!
Tip 4: Adding 1 is Simple!
When you add 1, just say the next number!
- 4 + 1 = 5 (the number after 4)
- 7 + 1 = 8 (the number after 7)
- 6 + 1 = 7 (the number after 6)
Tip 5: Doubles are Fun!
Doubles means adding the same number twice. These are easy to remember!
Doubles to Remember:
- 1 + 1 = 2
- 2 + 2 = 4
- 3 + 3 = 6
- 4 + 4 = 8
- 5 + 5 = 10
Trick: Think of it as “double” or “two times”!
Tip 6: Make 10 Friends
Some numbers are best friends because they make 10 together!
- 1 + 9 = 10
- 2 + 8 = 10
- 3 + 7 = 10
- 4 + 6 = 10
- 5 + 5 = 10
Why is this helpful? When you know these, adding becomes super fast!
Tip 7: Order Doesn’t Matter!
You can swap the numbers around and get the same answer:
- 3 + 5 = 8
- 5 + 3 = 8 (same answer!)
This is called the “turnaround trick” or commutative property.
Tip 8: Use Real Objects
Practice with toys, buttons, blocks, or snacks! Addition is everywhere:
- “I have 3 cookies and Mom gave me 2 more. How many do I have now?”
- “There are 4 birds on the tree. 3 more birds come. How many birds in total?”
Word Problems for Practice
Problem 1:
Sarah has 5 crayons. Her teacher gives her 2 more crayons. How many crayons does Sarah have now?
Solution:
- 5 + 2 = ?
- Start at 5, count on: “5… 6, 7”
- Answer: Sarah has 7 crayons
Problem 2:
There are 3 red balls and 4 blue balls in the basket. How many balls are there altogether?
Solution:
- 3 + 4 = ?
- Draw it out: ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ and 🔵 🔵 🔵 🔵
- Count all: 7 balls
- Answer: There are 7 balls altogether
Problem 3:
Tom sees 6 butterflies in the garden. Then 3 more butterflies fly in. How many butterflies does Tom see now?
Solution:
- 6 + 3 = ?
- Start at 6, count on 3: “6… 7, 8, 9”
- Answer: Tom sees 9 butterflies
Remember!
✅ Addition means putting groups together
✅ The + symbol means “plus” or “add”
✅ You can use objects, number lines, or counting on
✅ Start with the bigger number to count faster
✅ Adding 0 keeps the number the same
✅ Adding 1 gives you the next number
✅ Practice makes perfect!
Fun Addition Facts
🌟 Addition is used every day in real life!
🌟 You use addition when you count toys, snacks, or friends!
🌟 The more you practice, the faster you’ll become!
🌟 Soon you won’t even need to count—you’ll just know the answer!
Keep practicing and have fun with addition! 🎉
