Chapter 5 : Simple Addition & Subtraction

Simple Addition & Subtraction

Introduction

Hello young mathematicians! Today we’re going to learn about adding and subtracting using pictures. This will help us understand how numbers work together.

Addition

+

Putting things together to find the total

🍎
🍎
+
🍎
=
🍎
🍎
🍎

2 apples + 1 apple = 3 apples

Subtraction

Taking away to find what’s left

🍌
🍌
🍌
🍌
=
🍌
🍌

3 bananas – 1 banana = 2 bananas

How to Solve Picture Problems

When we see picture problems:

  1. Count the items in the first group
  2. Count the items in the second group
  3. For addition, add them together to find the total
  4. For subtraction, take away to see what’s left

Solved Questions

1. How many apples altogether? 🍎 🍎 + 🍎 🍎 🍎 = ?

Let’s count the first group: 🍎 🍎 → 2 apples

Let’s count the second group: 🍎 🍎 🍎 → 3 apples

Add them together: 2 + 3 = 5

Answer: 5 apples 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎

2. How many bananas are left? 🍌 🍌 🍌 – 🍌 = ?

We start with: 🍌 🍌 🍌 → 3 bananas

We take away: 🍌 → 1 banana

Subtract: 3 – 1 = 2

Answer: 2 bananas 🍌 🍌

3. Add: 🍓 🍓 + 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 = ?

First group: 🍓 🍓 → 2 strawberries

Second group: 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 → 4 strawberries

Add them: 2 + 4 = 6

Answer: 6 strawberries 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓

4. Subtract: 🍉 🍉 🍉 🍉 – 🍉 = ?

We start with: 🍉 🍉 🍉 🍉 → 4 watermelons

We take away: 🍉 → 1 watermelon

Subtract: 4 – 1 = 3

Answer: 3 watermelons 🍉 🍉 🍉

5. How many fruits total? 🍊 🍊 + 🍊 = ?

First group: 🍊 🍊 → 2 oranges

Second group: 🍊 → 1 orange

Add them: 2 + 1 = 3

Answer: 3 oranges 🍊 🍊 🍊

6. Take away: 🍋 🍋 🍋 🍋 🍋 – 🍋 🍋 = ?

We start with: 🍋 🍋 🍋 🍋 🍋 → 5 lemons

We take away: 🍋 🍋 → 2 lemons

Subtract: 5 – 2 = 3

Answer: 3 lemons 🍋 🍋 🍋

7. Add: 🍒 🍒 + 🍒 🍒 🍒 = ?

First group: 🍒 🍒 → 2 cherries

Second group: 🍒 🍒 🍒 → 3 cherries

Add them: 2 + 3 = 5

Answer: 5 cherries 🍒 🍒 🍒 🍒 🍒

8. Subtract: 🍐 🍐 🍐 🍐 – 🍐 🍐 = ?

We start with: 🍐 🍐 🍐 🍐 → 4 pears

We take away: 🍐 🍐 → 2 pears

Subtract: 4 – 2 = 2

Answer: 2 pears 🍐 🍐

9. How many fruits? 🥭 🥭 + 🥭 🥭 🥭 🥭 = ?

First group: 🥭 🥭 → 2 mangoes

Second group: 🥭 🥭 🥭 🥭 → 4 mangoes

Add them: 2 + 4 = 6

Answer: 6 mangoes 🥭 🥭 🥭 🥭 🥭 🥭

10. Take away: 🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇 – 🍇 🍇 🍇 = ?

We start with: 🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇 → 6 grapes

We take away: 🍇 🍇 🍇 → 3 grapes

Subtract: 6 – 3 = 3

Answer: 3 grapes 🍇 🍇 🍇

Practice Exercise

Try these problems on your own! Check your answers at the bottom when you’re done.

1. Add: 🍎 🍎 🍎 + 🍎 🍎 = ?

🍎
🍎
🍎
+
🍎
🍎
=
?

2. Subtract: 🍌 🍌 🍌 🍌 🍌 – 🍌 🍌 = ?

🍌
🍌
🍌
🍌
🍌
🍌
🍌
=
?

3. Add: 🍓 + 🍓 🍓 🍓 = ?

🍓
+
🍓
🍓
🍓
=
?

4. Subtract: 🍊 🍊 🍊 🍊 🍊 🍊 – 🍊 🍊 🍊 = ?

🍊
🍊
🍊
🍊
🍊
🍊
🍊
🍊
🍊
=
?

5. Add: 🍉 🍉 + 🍉 = ?

🍉
🍉
+
🍉
=
?

6. Subtract: 🍋 🍋 🍋 🍋 – 🍋 = ?

🍋
🍋
🍋
🍋
🍋
=
?

7. Add: 🍒 🍒 🍒 + 🍒 🍒 = ?

🍒
🍒
🍒
+
🍒
🍒
=
?

8. Subtract: 🍐 🍐 🍐 🍐 🍐 – 🍐 🍐 🍐 = ?

🍐
🍐
🍐
🍐
🍐
🍐
🍐
🍐
=
?

9. Add: 🥭 🥭 + 🥭 = ?

🥭
🥭
+
🥭
=
?

10. Subtract: 🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇 🍇 – 🍇 🍇 = ?

🍇
🍇
🍇
🍇
🍇
🍇
🍇
=
?

11. Add: 🍎 🍎 + 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 = ?

🍎
🍎
+
🍎
🍎
🍎
🍎
=
?

12. Subtract: 🍌 🍌 🍌 🍌 – 🍌 🍌 🍌 = ?

🍌
🍌
🍌
🍌
🍌
🍌
🍌
=
?

Answers to Practice Questions

  1. 5 (3 apples + 2 apples = 5 apples)
  2. 3 (5 bananas – 2 bananas = 3 bananas)
  3. 4 (1 strawberry + 3 strawberries = 4 strawberries)
  4. 3 (6 oranges – 3 oranges = 3 oranges)
  5. 3 (2 watermelons + 1 watermelon = 3 watermelons)
  6. 3 (4 lemons – 1 lemon = 3 lemons)
  7. 5 (3 cherries + 2 cherries = 5 cherries)
  8. 2 (5 pears – 3 pears = 2 pears)
  9. 3 (2 mangoes + 1 mango = 3 mangoes)
  10. 3 (5 grapes – 2 grapes = 3 grapes)
  11. 6 (2 apples + 4 apples = 6 apples)
  12. 1 (4 bananas – 3 bananas = 1 banana)

Number Line: Addition & Subtraction

Grade: Kindergarten – Grade 1 | Age: 4–6 years
Learn adding and taking away using a number line — children can see jumps forward for addition and jumps back for subtraction.

Free — Udgam Welfare Foundation

How to use the number line

  1. Find the first number on the line.
  2. For addition: make jumps to the right. For subtraction: make jumps to the left.
  3. Count the jumps and stop — the number you land on is the answer.

SECTION A — Solved Questions (10)

Q1: 2 + 3 = ? (Use number line)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Solution: Start at 2. Make 3 jumps to the right: 3 → 4 → 5. Land on 5. Answer: 5.
Q2: 5 − 2 = ? (Use number line)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Solution: Start at 5. Move 2 jumps left: 4 → 3. Land on 3. Answer: 3.
Q3: 0 + 4 = ?
Solution: Start at 0. Move 4 jumps to the right: 1,2,3,4. Land on 4. Answer: 4.
Q4: 7 − 3 = ?
Solution: Start at 7. Move 3 jumps left: 6 → 5 → 4. Land on 4. Answer: 4.
Q5: 3 + 2 = ?
Solution: Start at 3. Move 2 jumps right: 4 → 5. Answer: 5.
Q6: 6 − 1 = ?
Solution: Start at 6. Move 1 jump left to 5. Answer: 5.
Q7: 4 + 5 = ?
Solution: 4 then 5 jumps right: 5,6,7,8,9 → land on 9.
Q8: 9 − 2 = ?
Solution: 9 left 2 jumps → 8 → 7. Answer: 7.
Q9: 1 + 1 = ?
Solution: 1 jump to right → 2. Answer: 2.
Q10: 10 − 5 = ?
Solution: Start 10, move 5 jumps left: 9,8,7,6,5. Land on 5. Answer: 5.

Practice Exercise — Unsolved (12)

Use a finger to trace jumps on the number line. Click Show Answers when ready.

P1: 2 + 2 = ?
P2: 4 − 1 = ?
P3: 3 + 4 = ?
P4: 8 − 3 = ?
P5: 0 + 5 = ?
P6: 5 − 2 = ?
P7: 6 + 1 = ?
P8: 7 − 4 = ?
P9: 2 + 5 = ?
P10: 9 − 1 = ?
P11: 1 + 3 = ?
P12: 10 − 2 = ?

Number line visuals are inline SVG so they work without external images. Content is free for hearing-impaired students. Visit Udgam Welfare Foundation.