EDEXCEL GCSE FOUNDATION MATHS - What is Addition

Edexcel GCSE Foundation Maths: What is Addition?

Introduction

Addition is one of the four basic operations in arithmetic, along with subtraction, multiplication, and division. It's the process of combining two or more numbers to find their total sum.

Key Concepts

• Addends: The numbers being added together are called addends.
• Sum: The result of adding two or more numbers together is called the sum.

Examples

Let's look at some examples of addition:

• 3 + 4 = 7
  • Here, 3 and 4 are the addends, and 7 is the sum.
• 10 + 25 = 35
  • Here, 10 and 25 are the addends, and 35 is the sum.

Representing Addition

Addition can be represented in several ways:

• Using the "+" sign: This is the most common way to represent addition.
• Using a number line: You can visualize addition by moving along a number line. Start at the first addend and move to the right the number of units equal to the second addend.
• Using objects: You can use objects like blocks or counters to represent the addends and combine them to find the sum.

Properties of Addition

Addition has some important properties:

• Commutative Property: The order in which you add numbers doesn't affect the sum. For example, 3 + 4 = 4 + 3.
• Associative Property: When adding three or more numbers, you can group them in different ways without changing the sum. For example, (3 + 4) + 5 = 3 + (4 + 5).
• Identity Property: Adding 0 to any number doesn't change the value. For example, 5 + 0 = 5.

Practicing Addition

• Number bonds: Learn the basic number bonds (e.g., 2 + 3 = 5, 6 + 4 = 10).
• Mental arithmetic: Practice adding small numbers mentally.
• Column method: Use the column method for adding larger numbers.

Conclusion

Understanding addition is crucial for many areas of mathematics. By mastering the basics, you can confidently tackle more complex problems involving addition. Remember to practice regularly and use different methods to solidify your understanding.