Addition

Addition is a mathematical operation that combines two or more numbers to find their total sum. When you add two numbers, the result is called the sum.

For example, if you have 3 apples and then you get 5 more apples, you can use addition to find out how many apples you have in total. The addition problem can be written as:

3 + 5 = 8

In this example, the "3" and "5" are called addends, and the "8" is the sum.

When adding numbers, you can use different strategies such as counting on your fingers, using a number line, or using mental math. Addition is a fundamental concept in mathematics and is used in everyday activities such as shopping, calculating the total score in a game, or solving real-life problems.

There are different symbols and terms used in addition:

The plus sign (+) is used to indicate addition. For example, 3 + 4.
The equal sign (=) is used to show that the left side and the right side of the addition problem are equal. For example, 3 + 4 = 7.
When adding more than two numbers, the order of addition does not change the sum. This is known as the commutative property of addition. For example, 2 + 3 + 4 is the same as 4 + 3 + 2, and the sum is always 9.

Understanding addition is important for building a strong foundation in mathematics and is a skill that is used throughout life.