Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn how to add like-terms and use 3 simple steps to add large numbers.
This video illustrates the lesson material below. Watching the video is optional.
Addition (04:53 mins) | Transcript
Addition
Addition is simply combining two groups of like things together. It has application in every part of life. Adding two small things can be done relatively easily and often without having to write anything down. However, adding large numbers takes more steps and usually requires writing things down in order to help us keep track of our addition.
Don’t be afraid to use your fingers while figuring out a math problem. Students that learn to count using their fingers actually do better in math. This kind of exercise gives the numbers a more visual representation and allows you to better learn the process of addition.Adding Like-Things
When performing addition, you must add like-things or like-terms.
Imagine you have 4 apples and 7 oranges, and you want to add them together. 4 apples and 7 oranges will never become 11 apples. The same is true on the other side of the problem: 7 apples and 4 oranges will never be 11 oranges.
Figure 1
Thus, it is important to always add like-things: 3 apples and 4 apples will equal 7 apples.
Steps for Addition
There are a few steps for addition problems that are helpful, especially when adding larger numbers.
- Stack the numbers in columns according to their place values.
- When adding, you can rearrange the numbers in whatever order you like. For example, if you are adding \(14+9\), you can rewrite the equation as \(9+14\).
- The place value of a number is determined by its position in the number. Look at 14 as an example: the 4 is the first number on the right, so that means it is in the ones place. The second number, 1, is in the tens place.
- Below is an example of what step 1 might look like:
\begin{align*} 1&4\\ + & 9\\ \hline \end{align*}
- Add each column, starting on the right and moving to the left.
- After lining up the equation, start by adding the numbers in the ones place column. When you add \(4+9\), you get 13. Put the 3 below the 9 in the ones place and carry the 1 to be added to the left column, as explained in step 3.
- Carry groups of 10 to the column to the left. Add the tens place column, including the number that was carried over from the ones place column: \(1 + 1 = 2\). So \(14 + 9 = 23\).
\begin{align*}\color{orange}\small\text{1} \\1&4\\ + & 9\\ \hline 2&3\end{align*}
Visualizing Addition
In order to solve any addition equation, repeat the steps above as needed until you find the final answer.
Now look at this same problem visually. There are squares that represent \(14+9\). 14 is represented by one stick of 10 and four individual ones. 9 is represented by nine individual ones (see Figure 2).
Figure 2
There are enough 1’s to create another stick of 10. You can take the four 1’s from the 14 and six 1’s from the 9 to create a stick of 10 (see Figure 3 and Figure 4).
Figure 3
Figure 5
You can use these visual figures and say that 14 plus 9 is two sets of 10 and three 1’s, which equals 23.
Things to Remember
- Steps for addition:
- Stack numbers in columns according to their place values.
- Add each column; start on the right and move to the left.
- Carry groups of 10 to the column to the left.
- Addition is for combining like-things. You should not add things that are different.
Practice Problems
Evaluate the following expressions:- \(4 + 3 =\) ? (Solution
- \(2 + 7 =\) ? (Solution
- \(7 + 9 =\) ? (Video Solution
- \(0 + 4 =\) ? (Solution
- \(5 + 8 =\) ? (Solution
- \(9 + 8 =\) ? (Video Solution
Need More Help?
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