3 + 2 = 5
- Start with 3 blue counters. Add 2 yellow counters.
- Count all 5 counters together.
Learn
Addition joins amounts.
Put two groups together to find how many there are altogether.
Work it out together
8 + 5 = 13
- Split 5 into 2 and 3.
- 8 + 2 makes 10; add 3 more to make 13.
The plus sign means we join groups. The equal sign says both sides have the same value. You can show an addition question with counters, a drawing, or an equation.
Try making ten
When a sum crosses ten, split a number into smaller parts. You can check by counting the whole group, but you do not need to start counting from one every time.
A common mix-up
Do not stop at the first group. The first number is the starting amount, not the total. Add the whole second group too.
Your turn
Choose the answer: 9 + 4 = ?