How it works
Add the ones first. Then add the tens.
Sometimes the ones make 10 or more. Ten ones are the same as one ten, so bundle them: keep the ones that are left, and move the new ten over to the tens.
Then add the tens, and count the ten you moved. Writing it down in a column keeps every digit in its own place.
Worked examples
Add 26 and 7
- 26 + 7 = ?
- Ones first: 6 + 7 = 13.
- 13 is one ten and 3 ones. Write 3 under the ones, and move the ten over to the tens.
- Now the tens: the 1 you moved and the 2 that were there make 3 tens.
- 3 tens and 3 ones: 33.
Add 38 and 45: tens on both sides
- 38 + 45 = ?
- Ones first: 8 + 5 = 13. Write 3 and move a ten over.
- Tens: the 1 you moved, 3 and 4 make 8 tens.
- 8 tens and 3 ones: 83.
Add 34 and 25: when nothing needs to move
- 34 + 25 = ?
- Ones first: 4 + 5 = 9. That is less than ten, so there is no ten to move.
- Tens: 3 and 2 make 5 tens.
- 5 tens and 9 ones: 59.