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Addend — Definition, Formula & Examples

An addend is any number that is being added to another number. In the equation 3+5=83 + 5 = 8, both 3 and 5 are addends.

In an addition expression of the form a+ba + b, each operand (aa and bb) is called an addend. The result of combining the addends is called the sum.

Key Formula

addend+addend=sum\text{addend} + \text{addend} = \text{sum}
Where:
  • addend\text{addend} = A number being added
  • sum\text{sum} = The result of the addition

Worked Example

Problem: Identify the addends and the sum in the equation 12 + 25 = 37.
Identify the addends: The two numbers being added are 12 and 25, so these are the addends.
12 and 2512 \text{ and } 25
Identify the sum: The result of adding the two addends together is 37.
12+25=3712 + 25 = 37
Answer: The addends are 12 and 25. The sum is 37.

Why It Matters

Knowing the word "addend" helps you follow instructions in math class when a teacher asks you to find a missing addend, such as solving ?+4=10\text{?} + 4 = 10. It also builds the vocabulary you need for learning about related ideas like differences, products, and quotients.

Common Mistakes

Mistake: Confusing the addend with the sum.
Correction: The addends are the numbers you start with before adding. The sum is the answer you get after adding them together.