Where is addition hiding in Khan Academy Kids addition stories?

Quick answer

Addition is hiding in many Khan Academy Kids maths stories as simple number problems where you count groups of things and combine them. You can spot addition when you see pictures of items being added together, like apples being put into a basket or toys being collected.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to find addition sentences in picture stories and write them using numbers and the plus sign (+).

• You can count two groups of objects and write them as an addition sentence.
• You can match a story picture to a number sentence with a plus sign.
• You can use pictures to solve simple addition problems.
• You can explain how addition helps you find the total number of things.

Why this matters

Learning to see addition in stories helps you understand how maths works in everyday life. Whether you are sharing cookies, counting toys, or watching a football game, addition helps you find out how many things there are all together. This skill will help you solve bigger problems in school and at home.

How it works

When you see a story with pictures, look for groups of things that are being put together. Then you can:

1. Count the first group of items.
2. Count the second group of items.
3. Write the numbers with a plus sign (+) between them.
4. Find the total by adding them together.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at a few examples from Khan Academy Kids addition stories:

Example 1: There are 3 birds on a tree, and 2 more birds fly to the tree. How many birds are there altogether?

• First group: 3 birds
• Second group: 2 birds
• Addition sentence: 3 + 2 = 5

Example 2: A child has 4 stickers and gets 3 more from a friend. How many stickers does the child have now?

• First group: 4 stickers
• Second group: 3 stickers
• Addition sentence: 4 + 3 = 7

Example 3: In a garden, there are 5 red flowers and 4 yellow flowers. How many flowers are there in total?

• First group: 5 red flowers
• Second group: 4 yellow flowers
• Addition sentence: 5 + 4 = 9

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you are a detective looking for hidden addition in your everyday world. Here is your mission:

Step 1: Look at your room and find two groups of the same kind of things, like books or toys.

Step 2: Count how many are in each group.

Step 3: Write down the addition sentence using the plus sign.

Step 4: Add them up to find the total.

Step 5: Share your discovery with a parent or friend!

For example:

• Group 1: 6 pencils
• Group 2: 2 erasers
• Addition sentence: 6 + 2 = 8

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Forgetting to write the plus sign (+) in the addition sentence.
• Why it happens: Kids may think they are just writing numbers.
• Fix: Remind them that the plus sign shows that things are being added together.

• Mistake: Counting the same object twice in a story.
• Why it happens: When a story has many pictures, it can be confusing to keep track.
• Fix: Encourage them to touch or point to each object as they count.

• Mistake: Adding the wrong numbers from the picture.
• Why it happens: They might mix up the groups or count the wrong items.
• Fix: Practice counting each group carefully and match them to the story.

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child find addition in stories is a fun way to build their maths skills. Here’s how you can support them:

• Read picture stories together and ask, “How many are in the first group?” and “How many are in the second group?”
• Use everyday situations to make addition real, like when setting the table or sharing snacks.
• Encourage your child to draw their own addition stories and write the sentences.
• Don’t worry if they make mistakes—this is part of learning!
• Ask them to explain how they found the total to help them understand their thinking.

Practice questions

1. There are 2 cats in the garden and 3 more cats come. How many cats are there altogether? Answer: 2 + 3 = 5
2. Lucy has 4 crayons and gets 2 more. How many crayons does she have now? Answer: 4 + 2 = 6
3. There are 5 butterflies and 1 bee on the flower. How many insects are there? Answer: 5 + 1 = 6
4. Tom has 3 toy cars and his brother gives him 4 more. How many toy cars does Tom have? Answer: 3 + 4 = 7
5. There are 6 red balloons and 2 blue balloons. How many balloons are there in total? Answer: 6 + 2 = 8

FAQ

What is addition?

Addition is when you combine two or more groups of things to find the total number.

How can I tell if a story has addition?

Look for pictures showing two groups of things being put together or added. If the story says "and" or "more," it often means addition.

Can I use addition for anything?

Yes! You can use addition to count toys, snacks, people, or even how many goals your team scores in a game.

What if I don’t know how to add the numbers?

You can count on your fingers or use objects like blocks or coins to help you find the total.

Why do we need to learn addition in stories?

It helps you understand how maths works in real life and prepares you for more complex maths later on.