Dictionary

Addition An operation joining two or more sets where the result is the whole. When adding we use the plus sign '+'.

Commutative property The order in which two numbers are added does not affect the results. The commutative property does not apply to subtraction.

Number line A line that shows numbers ordered by magnitude from left to right or bottom to top; equal intervals are marked and labelled.

Addition

What is addition?: 'An operation joining two or more sets, where the result is the whole.'

Fractions

Adding is the most basic of operations, or at least the easiest to understand. "I have two apples. I get three more. How many apples do I have now?".

As with multiplicationaddition shows the commutative property. In other words, if I started with three apples and got two more, I will still have five. See this for yourself with a sample Year 2 addition exercise. Click the image at right to load our addition games.

It often helps to use a number line to add. This is useful when we add negative numbers, which is the same as subtracting. You can show this as a series of right- and leftward jumps.

Things get a lot more complicated when we need to add fractions. See how this is done on our fractions page.

Addition Stories

Number Bonds, Explained

Number bonds are pairs of numbers that combine to make a third. For instance 1 & 4, 2 & 3 both make five. They are the number bonds of five.

Calculating with Money – making maths easy

Most children are likely to have got a basic grasp of the notion of pennies and pounds, and how they relate, from an early age... If you struggle with decimal calculations, it might just help to shove a pound sign in front of the numbers.

Number lines in arithmetic

According to the Maths-Whizz Teachers' Resource dictionary, a number line is: "a line that shows numbers ordered by magnitude from left to right, or bottom to top." Pretty simple? Yes, and then again, no. The number line can be a powerful beast.

Eyeing up Maths Answers

Humans were not born to do maths. Those, like me, who don’t dream in numbers, think this is stating the obvious, but it’s worth remembering, even so. The human brain that lets us add, subtract, read, write, walk and chew gum (sometimes at the same time!) evolved from a brain that had different demands imposed [...]

Addition on Twitter

**Ali** Mackenzie: "Conquering any difficulty always gives one a secret joy, for it means pushing back a boundary-line and adding to one's liberty - 8 seconds ago
VIDEOGAME-SKINS.COM: Were adding new designs for the Kindle 2 and iPad this weekend. The back to school rush as started. Check back for special deals. - 31 seconds ago
WowHouses: Adding the most interactive tweeps and unfollowing deadbeats using Tweepi's geeky Twitter tools. http://tweepi.com/?t - 32 seconds ago
Rachel Wells: @ArianaGrande would u mind adding me if it's not too late?? - 1 minute ago
Andrew Baker: @freitasm I think with the disabling on the quick reply you should see alot more people adding Geekzone to the whitelist, - 1 minute ago
mya dorsey: I just took "[ADDING ON PARTS] You're Justin Biebers 15 year old cuzin, what happens when ..." and got: PART 1! Try it: http://bit.ly/b23bEa - 1 minute ago
Alexis Davis: I just took "[ADDING ON PARTS] What if You're Visiting Your God Brother (Ryan) Over the S..." and got: PART 11! Try it: http://bit.ly/b7WJ1I - 1 minute ago
Amit Agarwal: Adding a sub-menu in the wordpress admin menu :) http://bit.ly/92JizW - 1 minute ago
Chantelle-Jenielle .: Dear Mom, adding me as your daughter on Facebook is enough. Following me on twitter is not an option. It never will be. - 1 minute ago

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Addition links