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1st grade · Math · Unit 15 of 16

Add Three Numbers

Three numbers, one total

What your child practices

Word problems that add three numbers with a total up to 20. Children add two numbers first, often two that make 10, then add the third.

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: NY-1.OA.2 · solving word problems that add three whole numbers with a sum up to 20

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. To add three numbers, add two of them first.
  2. Look for two that make 10. They are easy to add.
  3. Then add the third number.

Example: Mia has 6 red, 3 blue and 4 green beads. How many beads? 6 + 4 = 10. 10 + 3 = 13. Answer: 13 beads

Add Three Numbers in New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 15 of 16 in 1st grade Math, after Picture Graphs and before Coins & Cents.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    A box has 7 big, 1 small and 2 tiny shells. How many shells?

    • 10
    • 11
    • 8
    • 3

  2. Question 2

    Add all three numbers.

    6 + 2 + 3 = ?

    • 9
    • 8
    • 11
    • 10

  3. Question 3

    2 + 8 + 6. Which two make 10?

    • 2 + 8
    • 8 + 6
    • 2 + 6

  4. Question 4

    Priya has 14 toys: 5 cars, 7 balls and some blocks. How many blocks?

    • 14
    • 12
    • 2
    • 1

  5. Question 5

    There are 8 cats, 4 dogs and 8 fish in a pet shop. How many pets?

    • 17
    • 12
    • 20
    • 19

  6. Question 6

    Zoe has 11 toys: 8 cars, 2 balls and some blocks. How many blocks?

    • 10
    • 11
    • 1
    • 2

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