Repeated Addition
Learn
Repeated addition is when you add the same number over and over. It is a shortcut for counting equal groups and helps you get ready for multiplication!
What Is Repeated Addition?
Repeated addition means adding the same number multiple times.
Example: 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 is the same as adding 3 four times!
Equal Groups
Repeated addition works with equal groups:
- 4 bags with 2 apples each: 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8 apples
- 3 plates with 5 cookies each: 5 + 5 + 5 = 15 cookies
- 5 boxes with 10 crayons each: 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 50 crayons
Connecting Arrays to Repeated Addition
Remember arrays? Each row has the same number of objects!
* * * * (4)
* * * * + (4)
* * * * + (4)
This 3 by 4 array can be written as: 4 + 4 + 4 = 12
Skip Counting Connection
Repeated addition is just like skip counting!
- 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 is skip counting by 2s: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
- 5 + 5 + 5 is skip counting by 5s: 5, 10, 15
- 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 is skip counting by 10s: 10, 20, 30, 40
Worked Examples
Example 1: Adding Equal Groups
Problem: There are 4 fish tanks. Each tank has 3 fish. How many fish in all?
Step 1: Write the repeated addition: 3 + 3 + 3 + 3
Step 2: Add step by step: 3 + 3 = 6, then 6 + 3 = 9, then 9 + 3 = 12
Answer: 12 fish in all
Example 2: Skip Counting
Problem: Find 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 using skip counting
Step 1: We need to skip count by 5s four times
Step 2: Skip count: 5, 10, 15, 20
Answer: 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 20
Example 3: From Array to Repeated Addition
Problem: Write the repeated addition for this array:
* * * * *
* * * * *
Step 1: Count objects in each row: 5 objects per row
Step 2: Count the rows: 2 rows
Step 3: Write repeated addition: 5 + 5
Answer: 5 + 5 = 10
Example 4: Word Problem
Problem: A spider has 8 legs. How many legs do 3 spiders have?
Step 1: Write the repeated addition: 8 + 8 + 8
Step 2: Add: 8 + 8 = 16, then 16 + 8 = 24
Answer: 3 spiders have 24 legs
Example 5: Counting by 10s
Problem: There are 6 bundles of 10 sticks. How many sticks in all?
Step 1: Write the repeated addition: 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10
Step 2: Skip count by 10s: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60
Answer: 60 sticks in all
Practice Problems
Try these problems on your own. Click "Show Answer" to check your work!
Problem 1: 2 + 2 + 2 = ?
Show Answer
6 (Skip count: 2, 4, 6)
Problem 2: 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = ?
Show Answer
16 (Skip count by 4s: 4, 8, 12, 16)
Problem 3: There are 3 nests. Each nest has 4 eggs. How many eggs in all?
Show Answer
12 eggs (4 + 4 + 4 = 12)
Problem 4: 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = ?
Show Answer
25 (Skip count by 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25)
Problem 5: 10 + 10 + 10 = ?
Show Answer
30 (Skip count by 10s: 10, 20, 30)
Problem 6: A tricycle has 3 wheels. How many wheels do 4 tricycles have?
Show Answer
12 wheels (3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12)
Problem 7: Write the repeated addition for a 4 by 3 array.
Show Answer
3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12 (4 rows of 3)
Problem 8: 6 + 6 + 6 = ?
Show Answer
18 (6, 12, 18)
Problem 9: Each hand has 5 fingers. How many fingers on 4 hands?
Show Answer
20 fingers (5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 20)
Problem 10: 7 + 7 = ?
Show Answer
14
Check Your Understanding
Question 1: What is repeated addition?
Show Answer
Repeated addition is adding the same number multiple times, like 3 + 3 + 3 + 3.
Question 2: How is repeated addition like skip counting?
Show Answer
They are the same! Adding 5 + 5 + 5 is like skip counting 5, 10, 15.
Question 3: How can you use repeated addition to find the total in an array?
Show Answer
Add the number in each row as many times as there are rows. For a 3 by 4 array: 4 + 4 + 4 = 12.
Question 4: What is 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2?
Show Answer
10 (Skip count by 2s: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10)
Next Steps
- Practice: Use skip counting to solve repeated addition problems faster
- Draw: Create arrays and write the repeated addition sentence for each
- Preview: In Grade 3, you will learn multiplication - a shortcut for repeated addition!
- Real Life: Look for equal groups at home and write repeated addition sentences