Basic Math

Fundamental mathematical operations and concepts for everyday use.

Basic Concepts

Addition and Subtraction

Understanding Adding and Subtracting

Addition and subtraction are the foundation of all math! Addition means putting things together, while subtraction means taking them apart.

How Addition Works

When you add, you combine two or more numbers to get a bigger number.

  • If you have 3 apples and get 2 more, you now have \( 3 + 2 = 5 \) apples.

How Subtraction Works

Subtraction is the opposite. It finds out what’s left after taking something away.

  • If you start with 7 candies and eat 4, you have \( 7 - 4 = 3 \) candies left.

Quick Tips

  • Addition and subtraction are used in shopping, cooking, and even sports scores!
  • Look for key words: "total," "sum," "left," and "difference."

Why It Matters

Mastering these basics helps you keep track of things in everyday life, from your allowance to the number of friends at a party.

Examples

  • Adding 8 + 5 to find out how many books you have in total.

  • Subtracting 12 - 6 to see how many cookies remain after sharing.

In a Nutshell

Addition brings numbers together, subtraction takes them apart.

Key Terms

Sum
The result of adding two or more numbers.
Difference
The result of subtracting one number from another.