What Is Addition?

Addition is one of the most important operations in math. Addition means putting groups together to find the total. When we add, we get a bigger number!

Addition Words and Symbols#

• The plus sign (+) tells us to add.
• The equals sign (=) shows us the answer (or sum).
• The sum is the answer when you add.

For example: 5 + 3 = 8

• 5 and 3 are the addends (the numbers being added)
• 8 is the sum (the answer)
• We say: "Five plus three equals eight."

Everyday Addition#

We add things all the time in real life:

• You have 4 apples and your friend gives you 3 more. How many do you have now? 4 + 3 = 7
• There are 6 birds on a branch. 5 more land. How many birds now? 6 + 5 = 11
• You read 8 pages Monday and 7 pages Tüsday. How many pages total? 8 + 7 = 15

Addition is Commutative#

Here is a cool math fact: the order of the addends dös not change the sum!

• 3 + 5 = 8 AND 5 + 3 = 8 (same answer!)
• 7 + 4 = 11 AND 4 + 7 = 11 (same answer!)
• 9 + 2 = 11 AND 2 + 9 = 11 (same answer!)

This is called the commutative property of addition. It means you can add numbers in any order and still get the same result. This is very helpful when using strategies!

Adding Zero#

When you add zero to any number, the number stays the same:

• 7 + 0 = 7
• 0 + 12 = 12
• 5 + 0 = 5

Adding zero means adding nothing — so nothing changes! Zero is a special number in addition.