Grade 2 Mathematics Additions – Adding Single Digits Horizontally Notes
Mathematics — Additions
Subtopic: Adding Single Digits Horizontally (Age 7, Kenya)
When we add single-digit numbers written side by side (horizontally), we write them with a + sign, then find the total. Use objects, fingers or a number line to help count.
Quick steps
- Look at the two single digits: e.g. 4 + 3.
- Start with the first number (4). Count on the second number (3) — 5, 6, 7.
- The last number you say is the answer: 4 + 3 = 7.
Example 1 — Using fruit
2 + 3 =
5
🍎🍎 + 🍎🍎🍎 = 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
Count: start at 2 (🍎🍎). Count 3 more: 3(🍎🍎🍎), 4, 5 → total is 5.
Example 2 — Number line
Add 3 + 4 using a number line:
Draw a number line: 0 — 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7 — 8
Start at 3, then jump 4 steps: 4, 5, 6, 7 → answer is 7.
Start at 3, then jump 4 steps: 4, 5, 6, 7 → answer is 7.
0
1
2
3 →
4
5
6
7
Ways to work out answers
- Count on using fingers: put up 3 fingers, then add 2 more.
- Use objects (stones, maize cobs, pencils) to show each number and count all.
- Remember number bonds to 10 (like 7 + 3 = 10 helps with bigger adds later).
Practice — Try these
- 1 + 4 = ___
- 5 + 2 = ___
- 3 + 3 = ___
- 6 + 1 = ___
- 2 + 6 = ___
- 4 + 4 = ___
- 7 + 2 = ___
- 0 + 5 = ___
- 8 + 1 = ___
- 9 + 0 = ___
Answers
1) 5 2) 7 3) 6 4) 7 5) 8
6) 8 7) 9 8) 5 9) 9 10) 9
6) 8 7) 9 8) 5 9) 9 10) 9
Teacher / Parent tips (Kenya)
- Use local objects (mangoes, stones, maize cobs) so children relate easily to counting.
- Ask pupils to explain how they got the answer — this builds number sense.
- Keep practice short and frequent: five quick sums per day helps mastery.