Add two numbers up to three digits – word problems

Key notes:

✨ Key Points:

Addition in Word Problems

  • Word problems use real-life situations.
  • To solve, we must read carefully and decide what operation to use.
  • If the problem is about joining, total, in all, or altogether, we use addition.

Steps to Solve Word Problems:

  • Read the question carefully.
  • Underline the important numbers.
  • Find the keywords (total, altogether, sum, in all).
  • Write the addition sentence.
  • Add the numbers (up to 3 digits).
  • Write the final answer in words.

Adding Three-Digit Numbers

  • Always start from the ones place.
  • Regroup (carry over) if the sum is more than 9.
📝 Examples:

Example 1
Riya has 245 marbles. Her friend gives her 132 more marbles.
How many marbles does she have in all?

  • Numbers: 245 and 132
  • Addition: 245 + 132 = 377
  • Answer: Riya has 377 marbles in all.

Example 2
A school library has 356 storybooks and 275 science books.
How many books are there in total?

  • Numbers: 356 and 275
  • Addition: 356 + 275 = 631
  • Answer: The library has 631 books in total.

Example 3
A farmer sold 128 apples on Monday and 243 apples on Tuesday.
How many apples did he sell in two days?

  • Numbers: 128 and 243
  • Addition: 128 + 243 = 371
  • Answer: He sold 371 apples in two days.
🎯 Practice Activity:
  1. A toy shop sold 215 dolls in January and 164 dolls in February.
    How many dolls were sold in total?
  2. A bus carried 189 passengers in the morning and 248 passengers in the evening.
    How many passengers did it carry in all?
  3. A farmer has 325 cows and 178 goats.
    How many animals does he have in total?

Learn with an example

Last year at Dayton’s airport, 327 passengers landed on time. Unfortunately, 667 passengers landed late. In all, how many passengers landed in Dayton last year?

​____ passengers

Add the numbers of passengers.

Add:

327 + 667 =

Add the ones. Add 7 + 7. Remember to carry over.

Add the tens. Add 1 + 2 + 6.

Add the hundreds. Add 3 + 6.

The sum is 994. In all, 994 passengers landed in Dayton last year.

During the summer, customers buy 563 swim suits from a department store. During the rest of the year, they buy 243. How many swim suits are sold in all?

​____ swim suits

Add the numbers of swim suits.

Add:

563 +243 =

Add the ones. Add 3 + 3.

Add the tens. Add 6 + 4. Remember to carry over.

Add the hundreds. Add 1 + 5 + 2.

The sum is 806. In all, 806 swim suits are sold.

Let’s practice!