Study and Practice First Grade Math - Addition Word Problems up to 20

Understanding Addition Word Problems

Word problems let us use numbers in real-life situations. In this lesson, we practice solving addition problems where the total can be up to 20.

Examples:

Problem: Emma has 9 apples. She gets 6 more. How many apples does she have now?
Solution: 9 + 6 = 15
Problem: There are 8 cats on the porch. 7 more cats join them. How many cats are there in all?
Solution: 8 + 7 = 15

Helpful Hint

Always read carefully. Look for the starting amount, what is added, and what the question is asking you to find.

In word problems, the total is called the sum. We find the sum by joining two groups together.

Examples:

Problem: Ben has 12 pencils. His teacher gives him 4 more. How many pencils does he have?
Solution: 12 + 4 = 16
Problem: A basket has 7 oranges. Another basket has 9 oranges. How many oranges are there in all?
Solution: 7 + 9 = 16

Helpful Hint

Look for words like in all, together, or how many in total. These tell you to add.

We can solve addition problems by showing each group with objects, drawings, or counters. Then we count them all together to find the sum.

Examples:

Problem: Mia has 6 toy cars. Her brother gives her 8 more. How many cars does Mia have?
Solution: Draw 6 cars, then 8 more. Count them: 6 + 8 = 14
Problem: There are 10 red balloons and 5 blue balloons. How many balloons in all?
Solution: Use cubes or counters: 10 + 5 = 15

Helpful Hint

Draw pictures or use small objects like coins, buttons, or blocks to help you see the problem clearly.

A number line helps us add by starting at the first number and hopping forward the second number of times. The number we land on is the sum.

Examples:

Problem: Alex starts with 11 stickers. He gets 6 more. How many stickers does he have?
Solution: Start at 11 on the number line. Move 6 hops forward. Land on 17. So, 11 + 6 = 17.
Problem: There are 4 birds in a tree. Then 9 more come. How many birds in all?
Solution: Start at 4, move 9 hops. Land on 13. So, 4 + 9 = 13.

Helpful Hint

When adding, always hop to the right. Each hop makes the number bigger.

We can make addition easier by breaking numbers into parts, called making a ten. This strategy helps us add quickly and clearly.

Examples:

Problem: Add 9 + 7.
Solution: Break 7 into 1 and 6. 9 + 1 = 10, then 10 + 6 = 16.
Problem: Add 8 + 6.
Solution: Break 6 into 2 and 4. 8 + 2 = 10, then 10 + 4 = 14.

Helpful Hint

Look for ways to make a ten. It makes adding numbers to 20 faster and easier.

We use addition every day to find how many in total. Thinking of real-life stories helps us understand word problems better.

Real-Life Examples:

Problem: You eat 6 strawberries at lunch and 5 at dinner. How many strawberries did you eat?
Solution: 6 + 5 = 11
Problem: There are 8 chairs in the classroom. The teacher adds 9 more chairs. How many chairs are there now?
Solution: 8 + 9 = 17

Try This

Make up your own word problems at home. Use toys, books, or snacks to write a story and solve it with addition.