Two counters and five counters make a pile of seven. So do five and two.
Step 1: Let's Learn
Read it, or press Listen and follow the words.
The pile does not care
It is the same pile either way round. Only the order you said it in changed, and the pile never heard you.
Try it yourself
Build 3 + 4, count it, then swap the groups and count again. The answer cannot move, because nothing was added or removed.
Use it to save work
For 2 + 7, start at seven. Two counts instead of seven. You are allowed to rearrange before you begin.
It halves what you learn
Knowing 3 + 8 means you also know 8 + 3. Every fact you learn comes with a second one free.
Step 2: Try It Yourself
Tap and try it out.
Red group
Blue group
How many in all
Step 3: Watch an Example
One step at a time.
Watch Mia Swap the Groups
Mia has two red counters and five blue.
- Step 1
She counts them all: seven.
Step 4: Your Turn
Practice makes it stick.
The Stickers
Problem 1 of 1
Three stickers and six stickers. How many?
Either Way Round
1 of 4
3 + 5 = ?
2 of 4
5 + 3 = ?
3 of 4
1 + 8 = ?
4 of 4
4 + 2 is the same as 2 + ?
Step 5: Quick Check
Show what you know.
Question 1 of 1
2 + 6 = ?
What You Learned
- Adding in either order gives the same total.
- The pile is the same however you say it.
- Start with the bigger number to save counting.