🔢 MathLevel 1Lesson 15
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Addition and Subtraction in Real Life

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What you will learn

  • 1Read a real-life story problem
  • 2Decide whether to add or subtract
  • 3Spot key words that signal addition or subtraction
  • 4Write a number sentence that matches the story
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Mini Lesson

Math happens all around us — at the store, in the park, at dinner. When you hear a real-life story with numbers, you need to choose the right operation!

When do you add?

  • Add when groups are joined together or someone gets more.
  • Example: "Lily has 4 crayons and gets 3 more. How many altogether?" → 4 + 3 = 7
  • Key words: and, more, in all, altogether, total, both

When do you subtract?

  • Subtract when items are taken away, eaten, or given away, or when they fly away.
  • Example: "There are 8 birds. 3 fly away. How many are left?" → 8 − 3 = 5
  • Key words: away, left, gave, ate, lost, fewer

Write a number sentence

  • A number sentence turns the story into math: start + change = result, or start − change = result.
  • Always check: does the answer make sense? Adding should give more; subtracting should give less.

Words to know

Addition

Putting numbers together to find how many altogether

e.g. 4 + 3 = 7 is addition.

Subtraction

Taking some away to find how many are left

e.g. 8 − 3 = 5 is subtraction.

Operation

The math action you choose — add or subtract

e.g. I picked the right operation: add.

Number sentence

A short math line that matches the story

e.g. The number sentence is 6 − 2 = 4.

Key word

A story word that hints whether to add or subtract

e.g. "Altogether" is a key word for add.

Addition story: 4 apples plus 3 apples equals 7Two groups of apples on a table. Left group has 4 apples, right group has 3 apples, with a plus sign between them and an equals sign showing 7 in all.Addition Story🍎🍎🍎🍎4+3=74 + 3 = 7 in all
Two groups of apples joined together — 4 + 3 = 7.
Subtraction story: 8 birds minus 3 fly away equals 5 leftA branch with 8 birds. Three birds have arrows showing them flying away. Five birds remain on the branch.Subtraction Story5 left3 away8 − 3 = 5 leftKey word: "fly away" → subtract
8 birds on a branch — 3 fly away, leaving 5. The word "away" signals subtraction.
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Ask yourself: "Are groups joining (add) or is something going away (subtract)?"

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← Lesson 14: Making 10 CombinationsLesson 16: Checking Our Work →