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Bus problems: getting on

You learn how many people are on the bus when people get on at a stop.

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How to work it out

  1. Look how many people are already on the bus.
  2. Add the people getting on.
  3. Now you know how many people are on the bus.

A worked example

There are 4 people on the bus. 3 people get on.

  1. Look at how many people are already on the bus: 4.
  2. Add the people who get on: 3.
  3. Work it out: 4 + 3 = 7.
  4. There are now 7 people on the bus.
More examples

There are 6 people on the bus. 4 people get on.

  1. Start with the 6 passengers.
  2. Add 4.
  3. Work it out: 6 + 4 = 10.
  4. There are now 10 people on the bus.

There are 11 people on the bus. 4 people get on.

  1. Start with the 11 passengers.
  2. Add 4.
  3. Work it out: 11 + 4 = 15.
  4. There are now 15 people on the bus.

Try it yourself

  1. There are 11 people on the bus. 4 people get on. How many people are on the bus now?

  2. There are 2 people on the bus. 5 people get on. How many people are on the bus now?

Watch out

  • You only count the people who get on, and forget the people who were already on the bus.

    Always start with the people already on the bus, and add the people who get on.

Tips

  • Think of an addition: getting on always means there are more people.

Why it works

A bus problem helps you see addition as something that really happens. The people already on the bus stay in their seats, and the new people join them. Add them together to find the new total.