Adding Single Digits

NCERT anchor: NCERT Joyful Mathematics Class 1 — Chapter 4: Making 10 and Chapter 6: Vegetable Farm (joining groups)

• Add two single-digit numbers (0–9) with sums up to 18.
• Use counting on from the bigger number — faster than counting from 1.
• Connect addition to joining groups: mangoes, cricket runs, festival sweets.

1. Addition means putting together

Level 1 (Verbal): 3 red balls and 2 blue balls → count all → 5.

Level 2 (Symbolic): 3 + 2 = 5. The + sign means "put together" or "add."

Visual: Draw two groups of dots, then circle all dots to find the total.

2. Counting on strategy

For 6 + 3: start at 6, count on 3 steps → 7, 8, 9. Answer: 9.

Always start from the bigger addend to need fewer steps.

3. Number bonds preview

5 + 5 = 10 is a friendly pair. Knowing bonds to 10 helps later sums like 7 + 3.

Adding rupees in a piggy bank

Step 1 — Arjun puts in ₹5, then ₹4 more.
Step 2 — Start at 5: count on 4 → 6, 7, 8, 9.
Step 3 — Write 5 + 4 = 9 rupees total.
Step 4 — Check with fingers: 5 up, add 4 more → 9 fingers ✓
Answer: ₹9 in all.

• What is 2 + 6?
• What is 9 + 0?
• Lata has 4 bindis and buys 3 more. How many in all?
• Stretch: In a cricket over, 3 runs, then 4 runs, then 2 runs are scored. What is the total?

Revision tip: Daily practice: pick two single digits, add by counting on from the bigger number.

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Adding Single Digits.