Adding in a word problem means joining two amounts to find the total. The story gives clues that show something is being combined or increased.
Emma has 38 stickers. She receives 22 more from a friend. How many stickers does she have in all?
To solve, line up the numbers by place value:
Explanation: Add the ones first (8 + 2 = 10). Write 0 in the ones place and carry 1 to the tens place. Then add the tens (3 + 2 + 1 = 6). The total is 60 stickers.
Look for words like total, in all, all together, and combined. These are clues that you need to add.
To add numbers with up to three digits, line up the digits by place value (ones, tens, hundreds) and add from right to left.
A class collected 145 cans during a food drive. The next day, they collected 132 more cans. How many cans do they have now?
Line up the numbers:
Explanation:
The total number of cans is 277.
Always keep digits in the correct column. Each place value must stay lined up so the addition is accurate.
Regrouping (also called carrying) happens when a place value adds up to 10 or more. You keep the ones in that place and move the tens to the next column.
A library has 268 books on one shelf. The librarian adds 94 more books. How many books are on the shelf now?
Line up the numbers:
Explanation:
The total number of books is 362.
If you get a two-digit answer in one place, it means you must regroup. This keeps each place value correct.
Word problems can describe adding in many ways. You may combine objects, show growth, or compare amounts to find a total.
There are 125 students in the morning group and 108 in the afternoon group. How many students are there in all?
Line up the numbers:
Explanation:
There are 233 students in all.
Read the problem carefully. Ask yourself: “What is happening?” and “What two amounts am I joining?”