--- title: "Adding Three Small Numbers" description: "Add three one-digit numbers using strategies including looking for pairs that make 10" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/adding-three-small-numbers-mt_Zx1xZM-RbX source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/adding-three-small-numbers-mt_Zx1xZM-RbX.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Adding Three Small Numbers Add three one-digit numbers using strategies including looking for pairs that make 10 Subject: Mathematics · Area: Addition & Subtraction · Ages 6 to 7 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/adding-three-small-numbers-mt_Zx1xZM-RbX ## Ready when they can - Calculate 5 + 7 + 3 by first adding 7 + 3 = 10, then 5 + 10 = 15 - Add any three single-digit numbers correctly - Identify useful pairs within three addends to make the calculation easier ## Lesson: Adding three numbers the smart way When you add three numbers, you can add them in any order. Look for two numbers that make 10. Add those two first. Then add the last number to 10. This turns a hard sum into an easy one. *(drawing: 5 stars, 7 stars, and 3 stars. Add 7 and 3 first to make 10. Then add 5 to get 15.)* **Example.** Leo has 4 blocks, 6 blocks, and 8 blocks. He looks for a pair that makes 10 first. 4 and 6 make 10. Then he adds 8 more. 10 + 8 = 18. Leo has 18 blocks. **Tip.** You can add numbers in any order. The total stays the same. Always look for a pair that makes 10 first. It makes adding three numbers much easier. **Recap.** Find two numbers that make 10, add them first, then add the last number. ## Practice 17 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Number bonds to 10](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/number-bonds-to-10-mt_e8CZ7E5qW7) - [Grouping numbers to add](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/grouping-numbers-to-add-mt_T76hKqXf0z) ## Opens up - [Adding several two-digit numbers](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/adding-several-two-digit-numbers-mt_TiQbi027PE)