To add variables, we will look at the variables like objects. So, in the problem

we can think of the variable a as airplanes.  So, we can write it like this:

We can think of the problem like this:  We are outside and we see 5 airplanes in the sky.  Throughout the day, we see 6 more airplanes.  How many airplanes do we see all day?  We see 11 airplanes.  So,

We add variables the same way.

To add variables, we can think of the variables like objects.  So, in the problem

we can think of the variable s as snakes.  So, we can write it like this:

We can think of it like this:  We are at the zoo.  We see 2 snakes in a pit.  We walk a little more, and we see 8 more snakes.  How many snakes have we seen at the zoo?  We have seen 10 snakes.  So,

We add variables the same way:

To add variables, we will look at the variables like they are objects.  So, in the problem

we can think of b as books.  So, we can write it like this:

We can think of the problem like this:  You have borrowed 2 books from the library.  You go back, and you borrow 7 more books.  How many total books have you borrowed?  You have borrowed a total of 9 books.  So,

We add variables the same way.  We get

When combining variables, we can think of the variables as objects. So, in the problem

we can think of the variable m as movies.  So, we can write it like this:

We can read it like this:  We have 2 movies.  We go to the store, and we buy 3 more movies.  How many movies do we have now?  We have 5 movies.  So,

We add variables the same way.

To add variables, we will look at the variables like they are objects. So, in the problem

we can think of the variable b as books.  So, we can write the problem as

So, we can read the problem like this:  We have borrowed 2 books from the library.  We go back to the library and borrow 5 more books.  How many total books have we borrowed from the library?  We have borrowed 7 books.  So,

We add variables the same way.

To add variables, we will look at the variables like objects. 

So, in the problem

we can think of the variable p as potatoes.  So, we can write it like

We can read the problem like this:  We go to the store to buy 5 potatoes.  We realize we need more, so we buy 5 more potatoes.  How many potatoes did we buy in total?  We bought 10 potatoes.  So,

We can add variables the same way.

When adding variables, we will look at the variables like objects.  So, in the problem

we can think of the variable p as pictures.  So, we can write it like this:

We can read it like this:  We have taken 9 pictures with our new camera.  We walk around for a while, and we take 6 more pictures.  How many pictures have we taken in total?  We have taken 15 pictures.  So,

We add variables the same way.  So,

When adding variables, we will look at the variables like objects.  So, in the problem

we can think of p as pancakes.  So, we can write it like

We can read the problem like this:  We are eating breakfast.  We are very hungry, and we decided to eat 2 pancakes.  We are still hungry, so we eat 3 more pancakes.  How many pancakes have we eaten for breakfast? We have eaten 5 pancakes.

We can add variables the same way.

To add variables, we will look at the variables like they are objects.  So, in the problem

we can think of the variable p as pretzels.  So, we can write it like

We can read the problem like this:  We eat 2 pretzels.  They are really good, so we eat 5 more pretzels.  How many pretzels have we eaten in total?  We have eaten 7 pretzels.

We can add variables the same way.  So,

When adding terms with variables, we can only combine the terms with like variables.  So, we get