Difference between revisions of "Addition"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
(Redirecting to Sum) |
(under construction pending image delivery) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | Addition is the mathematical operation that combines two or more numbers to produce their [[sum]]. | |
| + | |||
| + | It is helpful to see addition in terms of [[function]]s - addition adds one number (a) to another number (b) to make their sum (c). | ||
| + | |||
| + | Thus, | ||
| + | |||
| + | a + b = c. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Its reverse function, or [[inverse operation]], is [[subtraction]], which moves the other way: | ||
| + | |||
| + | c - b = a. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It is possible to add a negative number, but this is the same as subtracting that number: | ||
| + | |||
| + | a + (-b) = a - b. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Methods for addition== | ||
| + | |||
| + | For simple addition, it is easy to add by counting steps. If we consider 6 + 4, then we can start at 6, then add 1 four times - 7, 8, 9, 10. Thus, 6 + 4 is 10. | ||
| + | |||
| + | For more complex addition, columnar addition can be carried out. | ||
[[category:mathematics]] | [[category:mathematics]] | ||
Revision as of 20:55, November 4, 2008
Addition is the mathematical operation that combines two or more numbers to produce their sum.
It is helpful to see addition in terms of functions - addition adds one number (a) to another number (b) to make their sum (c).
Thus,
a + b = c.
Its reverse function, or inverse operation, is subtraction, which moves the other way:
c - b = a.
It is possible to add a negative number, but this is the same as subtracting that number:
a + (-b) = a - b.
Methods for addition
For simple addition, it is easy to add by counting steps. If we consider 6 + 4, then we can start at 6, then add 1 four times - 7, 8, 9, 10. Thus, 6 + 4 is 10.
For more complex addition, columnar addition can be carried out.