Addition and Subtraction Foundations · Addition within 10
Add two numbers within 10
Recall single-digit addition facts with a total of 10 or less, without counting one by one.
≈ 4 min·Difficulty 1/5
Real-life hook
You have 3 apples in one bowl and 4 in another. How many apples altogether? You don't need to count them all again — you can just add.
See it
3 + 4 = 7
The idea
Addition means putting two amounts together to find the total. When the numbers are small, aim to just know the answer instead of counting one by one. Starting from the larger number and counting on the smaller one is faster than starting from one.
Worked examples
3 + 4 = 7
Start from the larger number: 4.
Count on 3 more: 5, 6, 7.
6 + 2 = 8
Start from the larger number: 6.
Count on 2 more: 7, 8.
Common mistake
Watch out: Counting both numbers from the start — for 6 + 2, counting '1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6… 7, 8'. It works but it's slow and easy to lose track.
Better: Hold the bigger number in your head and count on only the smaller one: 6 … 7, 8.
Use it in real life
At a shop, one item costs $5 and another costs $3. Add them the fast way — start at 5 and count on 3 — to know you'll pay $8.
Try it yourself
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Practise: Add within 10
Preparing your questions…
Where you'll use this
Adding up a small shopping basket
Combining scores in a game
Counting how many items are in two groups
Frequently asked questions
What does 'addition within 10' mean?
It means adding two numbers whose total is 10 or less, such as 3 + 4 or 6 + 2. These are the first addition facts worth knowing by memory.
How can I add without using my fingers?
Start from the larger number and count on the smaller one in your head. With a little practice the answers become automatic, so you recall them instead of counting.
Why start from the larger number?
Because there is less to count. For 2 + 7 you only count on 2 (from 7) instead of counting on 7 (from 2) — same answer, less effort.