Add three numbers – word problems

Key points :

🧮 Understand the Story

Students should read or listen to the word problem and understand:

  • Who is in the story 👦👧
  • What things are being counted 🍎🎾🧸
  • How many of each item

➕ Identify the Three Numbers

Every problem will have three small numbers to add.
Example:
Raju has 2 apples, his friend gives 3, and his sister gives 1.

🟰 Add Step by Step

Students can add:

  • First two numbers
  • Then add the third number

Example:
2 + 3 = 5
5 + 1 = 6

🎨 Use Pictures or Objects

Students may use:

  • Drawings ✏️
  • Fingers ✋
  • Blocks 🧱
  • Counters 🔴🔵

These help them understand the story better.

📘 Write the Addition Sentence

After solving the story, students should write:

  • The numbers
  • The plus signs
  • The answer

Example:
2 + 3 + 1 = 6

🎉 Check the Answer

Ask:
“Did I add all three numbers?” ✔️
“Does my answer make sense in the story?” 🤔

🧠 Key Skill: Combine Groups

Students learn that when we put three groups together, we add them to find the total.

Learn with an example

🖍️Wendy collects stickers. Her collection contains 1 cat sticker, 3 butterfly stickers, and 3 flower stickers. How many stickers does she have in all?

_______stickers

Add the numbers of stickers.

1 + 3 + 3

Hint: Start by adding a double.

First, add the doubles 3 and 3 to make 6:

1 + 3 + 3 = ?

1 + 6 = ?

Now add 1 and 6:

1 + 6 = 7

The sum is 7.

Wendy has 7 stickers in all.

🖍️The florist made a bouquet with 4 red roses, 4 yellow daisies, and 1 pink tulip. How many flowers did the florist put in the bouquet?

​_____ flowers

Add the numbers of flowers.

4 + 4 + 1

Hint: Start by adding a double.

First, add the doubles 4 and 4 to make 8:

4 + 4 + 1 = ?

8 + 1 = ?

Now add 8 and 1:

8 + 1 = 9

The sum is 9.

The florist put 9 flowers in the bouquet.

🖍️The jewellery store in the mall has 1 silver bracelet, 6 gold bracelets, and 1 platinum bracelet. How many bracelets does the store have in all?

​ _________bracelets

Add the numbers of bracelets.

1 + 6 + 1

Hint: Start by adding a double.

First, add the doubles 1 and 1 to make 2:

1 + 6 + 1 = ?

2 + 6 = ?

Now add 2 and 6:

2 + 6 = 8

The sum is 8.

The store has 8 bracelets in all.

Let’s practice!