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Welcome to Year 3 Addition!

Let's learn how to add numbers in a simple, friendly way. We'll start with small numbers and build up to carrying (when sums go above 10).

1) Adding 1-digit numbers (no carrying)

When the answer is less than 10, you can add by counting up on your fingers or using a number line.

  • Example: 4 + 3 = 7
  • Count up 3 from 4: 5, 6, 7.

2) Adding 1-digit numbers (with carrying to the tens)

When the sum is 10 or more, you carry a 1 to the tens place.

  • Example: 7 + 5 = 12
  • Count up 5 from 7: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Write 2 in the ones place and carry 1 to the tens.

3) Adding two 2-digit numbers (no carrying yet)

First add the ones digits, then the tens digits.

  • Example: 23 + 15
  • Ones: 3 + 5 = 8
  • Tens: 2 + 1 = 3
  • Answer: 38

4) Adding two 2-digit numbers (with carrying)

If the ones digits add to 10 or more, carry to tens.

  • Example: 28 + 47
  • Ones: 8 + 7 = 15 → write 5, carry 1
  • Tens: 2 + 4 + 1 = 7
  • Answer: 75

5) Quick tricks to help

  • Use a number line to hop to the total.
  • Break apart numbers into tens and ones (place value).
  • Check by using related facts (e.g., to check 23 + 19, think 23 + 20 minus 1).

6) Practice ideas

  • Count-up games with dice: roll two dice and add the spots.
  • Use base-ten blocks or drawing tens and ones to visualize.
  • Write a few addition sentences each day: 12 + 7, 34 + 5, etc.

7) Quick check for understanding

Ask yourself: Does the answer make sense? Is it reasonable for the size of the numbers? Can I explain how I got it?


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