Parts of an Addition Problem

One problem, 47 + 38 = 85, across and stacked: 5 parts to name.

Parts of an Addition Problem

Name Date

Tap any part to read, rename or leave it out

1 2 3 4 5
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Write the name of each numbered part.Answer key

  1. Addends
  2. Plus sign
  3. Equals sign
  4. Sum
  5. Carry

Drawn for this site by script, 2026-09-26. Licence: own work.

Each numbered ring is a button. Use the arrow keys to move between them and Enter to choose. Names are read out in Study, and once a part is answered.

Next step Next: the parts of a subtraction problem

All 5 parts on the diagram

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Start here: 4 main parts 4

  1. Addends The numbers added together: 47 and 38 here. They are also called summands, and some books call the first one the augend.
  2. Plus sign The sign that means add.
  3. Equals sign The sign that means the two sides have the same value.
  4. Sum The result of the addition, also called the total: 85 here.

Stacked: 1 more 1

  1. Carry The tens digit is carried to the next column. This happens when a column adds up to 10 or more: 7 + 8 = 15, so the 1 is carried to the tens.

How this list was compiled: Read 2026-09-26. Wikipedia, Addition, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addition : addition usually denoted with the plus sign; the numbers added called the terms, addends or summands, some authors calling the first addend the augend; the result the total or sum; in column addition, when a column's digits add to ten or more the extra digit is carried to the next column (as in 9 + 7 = 16, the 1 carried). The example is checked: 47 + 38 = 85. Licence: own work

The drawing: Drawn for this site by script, 2026-09-26. Own work. Licence: own work

How it works

The parts of an addition problem on one worked example, 47 + 38 = 85, written across and then stacked with the carried 1. Start with the 4 main parts, then the carry.

Read the full guide

Addends and sum

The numbers you add are the addends, here 47 and 38. The answer is the sum, 85. The plus sign means add, and the equals sign shows both sides have the same value.

Stacked and carried

Stacked, the ones go in one column and the tens in another. Adding the ones gives 7 + 8 = 15: write the 5 and carry the 1 to the top of the tens column, then add the tens.

  • Order does not matter: 38 + 47 is also 85, so you can check by adding the other way.

Questions and answers

What are the numbers in an addition problem called?

The numbers being added are the addends, also called summands. The answer is the sum, sometimes called the total.

What is carrying in addition?

When a column adds up to 10 or more, you write the ones digit and carry the tens digit to the next column. In 47 + 38, 7 + 8 = 15, so the 1 is carried.

What is the augend?

Some books name the first addend the augend. In 47 + 38 it is 47; most classes just call both numbers addends.

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