Skill: Find and correct an addition error

An addition equation tells how many objects are in all. To check it, combine the two addends and compare your answer with the number after the equal sign.

Example:

$$8+5=12$$

1. Start with $8$ objects and add $5$ more.
2. Make a group of $10$: take $2$ from the $5$ and add them to $8$.
3. There are $3$ left, so you have:

$$8+5=10+3=13$$

4. Compare $13$ with the stated total, $12$. They are not the same.

So the equation is not correct. The corrected equation is:

$$8+5=13$$

Remember, the equal sign means “has the same value as.” It does not mean “the answer comes next.”