Grade 2 Mathematics Additions – Working Out Word Problems Involving Single Digits Notes
Mathematics — Additions
Subtopic: Working Out Word Problems Involving Single Digits (Age 7, Kenya)
Objective: Learn how to solve simple word problems that use single-digit addition (numbers 0–9). We will read the problem, find the numbers, choose addition, draw or use fingers, then answer and check.
Steps to solve a word problem
- Read the question carefully. Who? What is happening?
- Underline or spot the numbers (single digits).
- Decide the operation: words like "altogether", "in all", "how many" mean add.
- Draw pictures, use fingers or a number line to add the numbers.
- Write the number sentence (e.g., 3 + 2 = 5). Check your answer by counting again.
Helpful methods (choose one you like)
1) Draw to count — Draw small pictures for each group and then count all pictures.
🍎 🍎 🍎
3 apples
+
🍎 🍎
2 apples
=
🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎
5 apples
2) Count on with fingers or mentally — Start with the bigger number, then count on the smaller number: e.g. for 4 + 3, start at 4 then count 5,6,7 → answer 7.
3) Number line — Put your first number on the line, jump forwards the other number of steps.
Example: 4 + 3
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Start at 4, jump 3 steps → 7
Worked examples (showing steps)
Example 1
Amina has 3 mangoes. Her friend gives her 2 more mangoes. How many mangoes does Amina have now?
Step 1: Numbers: 3 and 2. Words: "gives her 2 more" → add.
Step 2: Draw or count: 🍊🍊🍊 + 🍊🍊 = 🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊
Step 3: Number sentence: 3 + 2 = 5. Answer: 5 mangoes.
Example 2
Peter has 4 pencils. He finds 1 pencil on the floor. How many pencils in all?
Step 1: Numbers: 4 and 1. Word "in all" → add.
Step 2: Count on: start at 4, count 1 more → 5.
Answer: 4 + 1 = 5 pencils.
Example 3 (Kenyan shillings)
Juma has 2 shillings. His mother gives him 3 more shillings. How much money does Juma have?
Work: 2 + 3 = 5. Juma has 5 shillings.
Practice questions — try these
- Wanjiru has 5 oranges. She buys 2 more. How many oranges now?
- Mary shows 1 flower to her friend and then picks 3 more. How many flowers does Mary have?
- There are 2 birds on a tree. 4 more birds come. How many birds altogether?
- Kamau has 3 books and gets 3 more. How many books?
- Sifa had 4 sweets and her brother gave her 2 more. How many sweets now?
- Sam collects 1 stone and then finds 1 more. How many stones?
- Ali has 6 toy cars and buys 2 more. How many cars in all?
- Ruth finds 3 shells at the beach and her friend gives her 4 more. How many shells?
- One banana + five bananas — how many?
- A teacher puts 2 chalks on the desk and later adds 6 more. How many chalks now?
Answers (check after doing the problems)
- 5
- 4
- 6
- 6
- 6
- 2
- 8
- 7
- 6
- 8
Tips for learners:
- Always read slowly and find the numbers first.
- If the question says "how many more", check if it is subtraction. If it says "how many in all" or "altogether", add.
- Use objects at home (stones, sticks, buttons) to help you count.
- Practice daily with small problems — soon you will add quickly in your head!