Addition Word Problems (Grade 1)
Word problems are addition stories written in sentences. We read the story, find the numbers, and decide to add them.
Look for clue words like: in all, altogether, total, more, how many together.
What is Addition Word Problems (Grade 1) - Class 1 Maths (Addition (Grade 1))?
An addition word problem tells a short story where two groups are being combined. To solve it:
- Read the story carefully.
- Find the two numbers.
- Decide: are we putting them together? If yes, add.
- Write the number sentence and solve.
Solved Examples
Example 1: Ria's Apples
Question: Ria has 5 apples. She gets 3 more. How many apples does she have now?
Think:
- Ria has 5 apples
- She gets 3 more → add
- 5 + 3 = 8
Answer: Ria has 8 apples.
Example 2: Birds on Trees
Question: 6 birds sit on one tree. 4 birds sit on another tree. How many birds in all?
Think:
- First tree: 6 birds
- Second tree: 4 birds
- In all → add: 6 + 4 = 10
Answer: There are 10 birds in all.
Example 3: Aman's Stickers
Question: Aman has 7 stickers. Kavi gives him 5 more. How many stickers does Aman have altogether?
Think:
- Started with 7
- Got 5 more → add
- 7 + 5 = 12
Answer: Aman has 12 stickers altogether.
Example 4: Tiffin Box
Question: Priya's tiffin has 4 chapatis and 3 parathas. How many items in her tiffin?
Think:
- Chapatis: 4, Parathas: 3
- Total items: 4 + 3 = 7
Answer: There are 7 items in Priya's tiffin.
Example 5: Boys and Girls
Question: In a class, there are 9 boys and 8 girls. How many children in total?
Think:
- Boys: 9, Girls: 8
- Total: 9 + 8 = 17
Answer: There are 17 children in total.
Example 6: Coin Collection
Question: Aditi has 6 coins of ₹1 and 5 coins of ₹2. How many coins does she have?
Think:
- ₹1 coins: 6, ₹2 coins: 5
- Total coins: 6 + 5 = 11
Answer: Aditi has 11 coins.
Example 7: Cricket Runs
Question: Dev scored 8 runs in the first over and 7 runs in the second over. How many runs in total?
Think:
- First over: 8 runs
- Second over: 7 runs
- Total: 8 + 7 = 15
Answer: Dev scored 15 runs in total.
Key Points to Remember
- Read the problem carefully. Find the two numbers.
- Look for clue words: in all, altogether, total, more, how many, combined.
- Write the number sentence: first number + second number = sum.
- Check your answer by counting on fingers or using a number line.
- The answer to a word problem must include the unit (apples, stickers, runs, etc.).
Practice Problems
- Meera has 4 dolls. She gets 6 more as a gift. How many dolls does she have now?
- There are 8 red flowers and 3 yellow flowers in a garden. How many flowers in all?
- Arjun read 5 pages yesterday and 7 pages today. How many pages did he read altogether?
- A bus has 9 children. 4 more children get on. How many children are on the bus now?
- Neha collected 6 leaves and 8 sticks in the park. How many things did she collect in total?
- There are 10 boys and 5 girls in the playground. How many children in all?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is an addition word problem?
It is a short story that gives you numbers and asks you to add them together to find the total.
Q2. How do I know when to add?
Add when the problem uses words like: in all, altogether, total, more, how many together, combined.
Q3. What is a number sentence?
A number sentence shows the math behind the story. For example, if a story says 5 apples and 3 more, the number sentence is 5 + 3 = 8.
Q4. Should I write the unit in my answer?
Yes. Always write what you are counting. Say '8 apples' not just '8'.
Q5. What if I get confused by the story?
Draw a picture or use objects. Show the two groups and put them together.
Q6. Can word problems have numbers bigger than 10?
Yes. In Grade 1, sums can go up to 20. The same method works: find the numbers, add, write the answer.
