Introduction

These hamsters live at a pet shop. They are waiting to be purchased by nice children looking for a pet. 3 of the hamsters are tan, and 2 of the hamsters are white and brown.

We know there are 5 hamsters in total because 3 + 2 = 5. This addition sentence has two parts and a whole. The tan hamsters make up one part, and the white and brown hamsters make up the other part.

3   +   2   =   5

Part   +   Part   =   Whole

What if we were to switch the parts? Instead of 3 + 2 = 5, we could say 2 + 3 = 5.

2   +   3   =   5

Part   +   Part   =   Whole

Did you notice that both of the addition sentences we made about the hamsters equal 5? That’s because these addition sentences are related! They both use the same numbers: 2, 3, and 5.

Click on the parts of this addition sentence.