Addition sentences for word problems – sums up to 18

Learn with an example

🗼 One afternoon, Wendy caught 6 tadpoles in a pond and took them home. That left 4 tadpoles in the pond. How many tadpoles were in the pond before?

Write an addition number sentence that fits the story.__________

  • Write an addition number sentence. Add the numbers of tadpoles. First write:
  • 6 + 4
  • Now complete the addition number sentence by finding the sum of 6 and 4:
  • 6 + 4 = 10

🗼 The basketball team lost a game. They scored 3 points, but they needed 4 more points to win. In total, how many points did the team need to win?

Write an addition number sentence that fits the story.__________

  • Write an addition number sentence. Add the points. First write:
  • 3 + 4
  • Now complete the addition number sentence by finding the sum of 3 and 4:
  • 3 + 4 = 7

🗼Devon had 4 letters. Then 5 more came in the post. How many letters does Devon have now?

Write an addition number sentence that fits the story._________

  • Write an addition number sentence. Add the numbers of letters. First write:
  • 4 + 5
  • Now complete the addition number sentence by finding the sum of 4 and 5:
  • 4 + 5 = 9

Let’s practice!