Before we start adding, we must understand the “line” that numbers live on.
Ascending Order: This means going from the smallest number to the largest. Think of it like climbing up a ladder.
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Descending Order: This means going from the largest number down to the smallest. Think of it like walking down a flight of stairs.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0
Addition is simply “putting things together.” Here is a quick reference for common single-digit sums. Notice how patterns emerge as we increase the numbers!
| Adding 0 | Adding 1 | Adding 2 |
| $0 + 0 = 0$ | $1 + 1 = 2$ | $1 + 2 = 3$ |
| $1 + 0 = 1$ | $2 + 1 = 3$ | $2 + 2 = 4$ |
| $2 + 0 = 2$ | $3 + 1 = 4$ | $3 + 2 = 5$ |
| $5 + 0 = 5$ | $6 + 1 = 7$ | $5 + 2 = 7$ |
| $10 + 0 = 10$ | $9 + 1 = 10$ | $8 + 2 = 10$ |
When we add the same number to itself, we call it a double. These are great to memorize:
$1 + 1 = 2$
$2 + 2 = 4$
$3 + 3 = 6$
$4 + 4 = 8$
$5 + 5 = 10$
In math, the number 10 is a very important milestone. There are many ways to reach 10 by adding two smaller numbers together. Can you remember these pairs?
$9 + 1 = 10$
$8 + 2 = 10$
$7 + 3 = 10$
$6 + 4 = 10$
$5 + 5 = 10$
Note: Be careful! Sometimes we make mistakes. In the practice sheet provided, the equation $6 + 3 = 10$ is actually incorrect. As you know from your counting, $6 + 3$ is actually 9!
Subtraction Practice Sets
The “Zero” and “One” Families
Subtracting zero leaves the number unchanged, while subtracting one is simply finding the “number before.”
Subtracting 0 Subtracting 1 0 – 0 = 0 1 – 1 = 0* 1 – 0 = 1 2 – 1 = 1 2 – 0 = 2 3 – 1 = 2 3 – 0 = 3 4 – 1 = 3 4 – 0 = 4 5 – 1 = 4 5 – 0 = 5 6 – 1 = 5 6 – 0 = 6 7 – 1 = 6 7 – 0 = 7 8 – 1 = 7 8 – 0 = 8 9 – 1 = 8 9 – 0 = 9 *Note: Your worksheet lists 1-1=1, but remember that any number subtracted from itself equals 0! The “Two” and “Three” Families
As the numbers being subtracted get larger, the results get smaller. Notice the pattern in the answers!
Subtracting 2 Subtracting 3 2 – 2 = 0 3 – 3 = 0 3 – 2 = 1 4 – 3 = 1 4 – 2 = 2 5 – 3 = 2 5 – 2 = 3 6 – 3 = 3 6 – 2 = 4 7 – 3 = 4 7 – 2 = 5 8 – 3 = 5 8 – 2 = 6 9 – 3 = 6 9 – 2 = 7 The Higher Digit Families (4 through 9)
Once a student masters these, they have completed the single-digit foundation!
Minus 4 Minus 5 Minus 6 Minus 7 Minus 8/9 4 – 4 = 0 5 – 5 = 0 6 – 6 = 0 7 – 7 = 0 8 – 8 = 0 5 – 4 = 1 6 – 5 = 1 7 – 6 = 1 8 – 7 = 1 9 – 8 = 1 6 – 4 = 2 7 – 5 = 2 8 – 6 = 2 9 – 7 = 2 9 – 9 = 0 7 – 4 = 3 8 – 5 = 3 9 – 6 = 3 8 – 4 = 4 9 – 5 = 4 9 – 4 = 5 The Ultimate Addition Drill
You can use the list below to create flashcards, verbal quizzes, or a timed “Mad Minute” challenge for your students.
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 $9+1 = 10$ $3+4 = 7$ $4+1 = 5$ $7+2 = 9$ $5+3 = 8$ $3+3 = 6$ $2+2 = 4$ $2+3 = 5$ $2+6 = 8$ $5+1 = 6$ $3+1 = 4$ $9+9 = 18$ $5+5 = 10$ $7+3 = 10$ $1+2 = 3$ $8+9 = 17$ $2+8 = 10$ $2+5 = 7$ $6+1 = 7$ $5+6 = 11$ $1+8 = 9$ $3+6 = 9$ $8+1 = 9$ $3+8 = 11$ $8+2 = 10$ $2+8 = 10$ $2+1 = 3$ $5+4 = 9$ $5+4 = 9$ $6+8 = 14$ $2+8 = 10$ $2+1 = 3$ $6+4 = 10$ $5+3 = 8$ $3+2 = 5$ $3+8 = 11$ $4+3 = 7$ $7+2 = 9$ $3+5 = 8$ $6+4 = 10$ $2+7 = 9$ $2+3 = 5$ $6+3 = 9$ $5+7 = 12$ $7+1 = 8$ $9+9 = 18$ $7+4 = 11$ $9+4 = 13$ $3+7 = 10$ $8+9 = 17$ $1+4 = 5$ $1+6 = 7$ $6+3 = 9$ $5+6 = 11$ $4+2 = 6$ $4+3 = 7$ $4+4 = 8$ $3+8 = 11$ $5+4 = 9$ $8+3 = 11$ $2+4 = 6$ $4+6 = 10$ $3+7 = 10$ $2+5 = 7$ $9+2 = 11$ $6+9 = 15$ $8+7 = 15$ $9+2 = 11$ $3+4 = 7$