While we know 1 and 1 is 2, how do we add larger numbers? This simple video will show you how adding larger numbers can be as simple as a snap of a finger!
Have you ever wondered that every year on your birthday, when you grow one year older, how do you calculate your age?
It's all about numbers, which you need to add every year!
Addition is so important in our lives that we can't imagine our day-to-day lives without adding numbers. So let's get started and learn about addition today!
Once you grasp the basics, we will show you examples of addition, the importance of addition and subtraction in our everyday lives.
Check-out this interactive simulation to know how we add 2-digit numbers.
Click on Reset and Go!
What Is Addition?
Addition is putting two or more numbers together or combining them to know the total or the sum of the numbers.
For example,
Here are 2 bells, and when 4 more bells are put together they make a total of 6 bells.
We write it as 2 + 4 = 6 and read it as Two plus four equals six.
Also note another important property of addition which states that:
Changing the order of numbers does not change the answer.
For example: 4 + 2 = 2 + 4, and we get 6 as their sum.
General Formula for Addition
The basic formula or the mathematical equation of addition can be explained as:
How to Solve Addition Questions?
While one-digit numbers can be added in a simple way, we solve larger numbers by splitting them into columns of their respective place values, like Ones, Tens, Hundreds, Thousands, and so on.
We add these columns one by one:
So in order to add 354 and 32, we write both the numbers one below the other in such a way that the place values are aligned and then add them.
The Concept of Carry Over
In the above example, we see that while we add the numbers in the Ones column we get 6
However, when we add the numbers under the Tens Column, we get 12
Here, while we retain 2 under the Tens column, we carry over 1 to the top of the Hundreds column, so that we remember to add it there.
The same procedure is followed in larger numbers whenever we get such two-digit numbers.
Addition on Number Line
Another way to add numbers is with the help of number lines.
If we need to solve 3 + 4
We start by marking the number 3 on the number line.
When we add using a number line, we count by moving one number at a time to the right of the number.
Since we are adding 3 and 4, we will move 4 steps to the right.
This brings us to 7
Hence, 3 + 4= 7.

- When adding different digit numbers, make sure to place the numbers one below the other in the correct column of their place value
- Adding zero to any number gives the number itself.
- When 1 is added to any number, the sum is the successor of that number.
- The sign used to denote an addition is '+'
- The order in which you add a group of numbers doesn't matter, the answer is the same. For example, 2 + 5 + 3= 10; and 5 + 3 + 2= 10.
Solved Examples
Example 1 |
8 bees set off to suck nectar from the flowers.
Soon 7 more joined them.
How many bees were there in all who went together to suck nectar?
Solution
Number of bees who set off to suck nectar = 8
Number of bees who joined them = 7
Therefore, the total number of bees who went together were :
8 + 7= 15
15 bees |
Example 2 |
Jerry collected 89 seashells, Ann collected 54 more than him. How many seashells did they collect in all?
Solution
Number of shells collected by Jerry = 89
Number of shells collected by Ann = 54 more than what Jerry collected, which is 54 + 89=143
Therefore, the total number of sea shells collected by both of them = 89 + 143 = 232
232 seashells |
Example 3 |
During an annual Easter egg hunt, the participants found 2403 eggs in the clubhouse, 50 easter eggs in the park, and 621 easter eggs in the town hall.
How many eggs were found in that day's hunt?
Solution
Number of easter eggs found in the Clubhouse = 2403
Number of easter eggs found in the park = 50
Number of easter eggs found in the Town Hall = 621
We write the numbers into columns according to their place values of ones, tens, hundreds, thousands and then add them:
\(\begin {align}
&\:\:\:\:\text{Th- H - T -O} \\
& \:\:\:\:\:2\:\:\:\:\:4\:\:\:\:\:0\:\:\:\:3 \\
&+\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:5\:\:\:\:0\\
&+\:\:\:\:\:\:6\:\:\:\:\:\:2\:\:\:\:1 \\
&-------- \\
&\:\:\:\:\:\:3\:\:\:\:0\:\:\:\:7\:\:\:\:4 \\
&-------- \\
\end{align}\)
Therefore, the total number of eggs found in that day's hunt were 3074
3074 Easter eggs |
Example 4 |
A soccer match had 4535 spectators in the first row and 2339 spectators in the second row. How many spectators were there in all?
Solution
Adding the column of Ones, we get 14
While we write 4 under the One's column, we send 1 to the top of the Tens Column as the carry-over, so that we remember to add it there.
Adding them all, we get 6874
Hence, there were 6874 spectators in all.
6874 spectators |
Example 5 |
A farm had 1890 hens. The next day 334 new eggs hatched. How many hens are there now?
Number of hens in the farm = 1890
Number of eggs that hatched = 334
Therefore, total number of hens in the farm now = 1890 + 334 = 2224
2224 hens |

- Words like 'put together', 'in all', 'altogether', 'total' give a clue that you need to add the given numbers.
- Start with the larger number and add the smaller number to it. For example, adding 12 to 43 is easier than adding 43 to 12
- Break numbers according to their place values to make addition easier. For example, 23 + 64 can be split as 20 + 3 + 40 + 6. While this looks difficult, it makes mental addition easier. Add the 'tens' first, and then the 'ones'.
Interactive Questions
Here are a few problems related to addition.
Select/type your answer and click the "Check Answer" button to see the result.
Let's Summarize
The mini-lesson targeted the fascinating concept of addition. The math journey around addition starts with what a student already knows, and goes on to creatively crafting a fresh concept in the young minds. Done in a way that not only it is relatable and easy to grasp, but also will stay with them forever. Here lies the magic with Cuemath.
About Cuemath
At Cuemath, our team of math experts is dedicated to making learning fun for our favorite readers, the students!
Through an interactive and engaging learning-teaching-learning approach, the teachers explore all angles of a topic.
Be it worksheets, online classes, doubt sessions, or any other form of relation, it’s the logical thinking and smart learning approach that we, at Cuemath, believe in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where do we use addition and subtraction?
We use addition in our everyday situations. For example, if you want to know how much money you spent on the items you bought, or you want to calculate the time you will take to finish a task, or you want to know the number of ingredients used in cooking something.
2. What are the types of addition?
The types of addition means the various methods used in addition.
For example, vertical addition, addition using number charts, addition of small numbers using your fingers, etc.
3. What are addition strategies?
Addition strategies are different ways in which Addition can be learned. For example, using a number line, with the help of a Place Value Chart, separating the Tens and Ones and then adding them separately, and many others.
4. Give some addition examples.
Suppose you have 4 apples, and your friend gave you 3 more, after adding 4 + 3, we get 7. So, you have 7 apples altogether.
Similarly, suppose there are 15 girls and 13 boys in a class, if we add the numbers 15 + 13, we get total number of students in the class, which is 28