increase — Definition, Formula & Examples
Increase means to become greater or larger in number, size, or amount. When a value increases, it goes up.
An increase occurs when a quantity changes such that its new value is strictly greater than its original value.
Worked Example
Problem: A jar has 8 marbles. You add 5 more. Did the number of marbles increase or decrease?
Start: The jar began with 8 marbles.
Change: After adding 5 more, find the new total.
Compare: Since 13 is greater than 8, the number went up.
Answer: The number of marbles increased from 8 to 13.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing increase with the total itself.
Correction: The increase is how much a value went up, not the final amount. Going from 8 to 13 is an increase of 5, not 13.