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Maths Adventures

Airport maths quest: addition

A story-led junior maths adventure using departures, luggage weights and route maps to combine treasures, supplies and scores without losing track.

Quick answer

You can use addition to solve problems about flights, luggage, and supplies in an airport adventure.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to add numbers together to solve airport-related problems like counting luggage, combining supplies, and calculating flight times. Success signs:
  • You can add two numbers together to find a total
  • You can add more than two numbers together
  • You can use addition to solve problems about airport supplies
  • You can check your answers by counting again

Why this matters

Airport maths helps you understand how numbers work in real life. When you travel, you might need to add up your luggage weights, count your snacks, or add up flight times. Addition helps you keep track of things so you don't lose anything important. Whether you're planning a trip or helping your family pack, knowing how to add numbers makes everything easier and more fun.

How it works

Addition means putting numbers together to find a total. You can add two numbers, or even three or more numbers. When you add numbers, you count all the things together. For example, if you have 3 apples and 2 oranges, you can add them to find that you have 5 fruits in total. Let's take it step by step:
  1. First, you look at the numbers you need to add
  2. Then, you count them all together
  3. Finally, you write down the answer

Examples you can see

Let's imagine you are on an airport adventure and need to solve some addition problems. Example 1: Counting luggage You are packing for a trip. You have 4 suitcases and your friend has 3 suitcases. How many suitcases do you have altogether?
  • 4 suitcases + 3 suitcases = 7 suitcases
Example 2: Adding snacks You have 5 cookies and your brother has 2 cookies. How many cookies do you have in total?
  • 5 cookies + 2 cookies = 7 cookies
Example 3: Combining supplies A plane needs 12 bottles of water and 8 bottles of juice. How many bottles are needed in total?
  • 12 bottles + 8 bottles = 20 bottles
Example 4: Adding flight times Your flight is 2 hours long, and the layover is 1 hour. How long is your journey in total?
  • 2 hours + 1 hour = 3 hours

Try it as a mini adventure

Airport Treasure Hunt You are on a special mission at the airport! You need to collect supplies and count them all up to make sure you don't lose anything. Step 1: You find 5 toy planes on the ground. Step 2: You find 3 toy cars in a shop. Step 3: You find 2 toy helicopters in the baggage area. Step 4: You find 4 toy trains in the waiting room. How many toys do you have in total?
  • 5 toys + 3 toys + 2 toys + 4 toys = 14 toys
Challenge: Now, you have 10 bottles of water. You get 5 more bottles from the gate. How many bottles do you have now?
  • 10 bottles + 5 bottles = 15 bottles

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Counting the same thing twice or forgetting to count something Why it happens: When you're excited or busy, you might lose track of what you've counted. Fix: Use your fingers or draw a picture to help you count each item only once.
  • Mistake: Adding the wrong numbers together Why it happens: Sometimes it's easy to mix up which numbers to add. Fix: Read the problem slowly and underline the numbers you need to add.
  • Mistake: Getting confused when adding more than two numbers Why it happens: Adding more numbers can feel tricky at first. Fix: Add two numbers at a time. For example, add 3 + 4 first, then add 5 to that answer.

Parent and carer guide

You can help your child by:
  • Playing simple addition games with everyday items like toys, fruits, or coins
  • Encouraging them to count aloud as they solve problems
  • Letting them use fingers or draw pictures to help with counting
  • Practising adding numbers in real life, like counting how many people are in your family or how many plates you need for dinner
  • Not worrying if they make a mistake – it's part of learning!

Practice questions

  1. There are 6 birds on a tree. 3 more birds fly to the tree. How many birds are there now?
    • Answer: 9 birds
  2. You have 7 stickers. Your friend gives you 2 more stickers. How many stickers do you have now?
    • Answer: 9 stickers
  3. There are 8 apples in one basket and 4 apples in another basket. How many apples are there in total?
    • Answer: 12 apples
  4. You have 5 pencils and 3 erasers. How many items do you have altogether?
    • Answer: 8 items
  5. There are 10 people on a bus. 5 more people get on. How many people are on the bus now?
    • Answer: 15 people

FAQ

What is addition?

Addition is when you put numbers together to find a total. It's like counting all your toys or all your snacks together.

Why do I need to know addition?

Addition helps you solve everyday problems like counting how many things you have or how much something costs. It's useful for shopping, cooking, and planning trips.

How can I practice addition at home?

You can practice by counting your toys, adding up the number of fruits in your bowl, or adding up how many steps you take during a walk.

What if I make a mistake when adding?

Mistakes are part of learning! If you make a mistake, try counting again or use your fingers to help you. It's okay to make mistakes – they help you learn better.

Can I add more than two numbers?

Yes! You can add as many numbers as you want. Just add them two at a time until you get your final answer.