Addition of Literals

Addition of literals obey all properties of addition of numbers. Suppose we are asked to find the sum of two numbers, say 3 and 5. The sum of 3 and 5 is denoted by 3 + 5. Exactly in the same way, the sum of the literal y and a number 7 is denoted by y + 7 and is read as ‘y plus 7’. y + 7 can also be read as ‘7 more than y or increase y by 7’.

Similarly, y more than a literal x is written as x + y. We can also read x + y as the sum of x and y. (x + y) + z means that the sum of literals x and y is added to the literal z whereas x + (y + z) means that the literal x is added to the sum of literals y and z.

Let us consider an algebraic entity ‘m’ and we want to add 25 to it. We write this operation as m + 25, just as we do for arithmetical quantities. We may also add one quantity m to another quantity n and this process is represented by m + n. The sum of m and 25 is written as m + 25. 

Sum of two literal numbers m and n is written as m + n. 

The sum of m and m is written as m + m = 2m. 

Sum of m, n and 5 is written as = m + n + 5. 

Properties of Addition of Literals:

Since literals are used to represent numbers. Here, we list the properties of addition of literals.

Commutativity: For any two literals a and b, we have

a + b = b + a

2 + x = x + 2

Associativity: For any three literals a, b and c, we have

(a + b) + c = a + (b + c)

(3 + x) + y = 3 + (x + y)

Identity: For any literals a, we have

a + 0 = a = 0 + a

5 + 0 = 5 = 0 + 5

Here ‘0’ is known as the additive identity.


Problems on Addition of Literals

Write each of the following phrases using numbers, literals and the basic operation of addition :

(i) The sum of x and 3.

Answer: x + 3


(ii) The sum of 10 and z.

Answer: 10 + z


(iii) The sum of x and y.

Answer: x + y


(iv) 3 more than a number x.

Answer: x + 3


(v) 100 more than a number p.

Answer: p + 100


(vi) x added to 9.

Answer: x + 9


(vii) m added to 50.

Answer: m + 50


(viii) Increase x by 4.

Answer: x + 4


(ix) Increase z by 10.

Answer: z + 10


(x) The sum of x and 5 added to y.

Answer: (x + 5) + y


(xi) The sum of m and 25 added to n.

Answer: (m + 25) + n


(xii) The sum of x and y added to z.

Answer: (x + y) + z


(xiii) The sum of a and b added to 5.

Answer: (a + b) + 5


(xiv) x added to the sum of y and 4.

Answer: x + (y + 4)


(xv) 5 added to the sum of a and b.

Answer: 5 + (a + b)


(xvi) a added to the sum of y and z.

Answer: a + (y + z)

Literal Numbers

Addition of Literals

Subtraction of Literals

Multiplication of Literals

Properties of Multiplication of Literals

Division of Literals

Powers of Literal Numbers






Algebra Page

6th Grade Page

From Addition of Literals to HOME PAGE




Didn't find what you were looking for? Or want to know more information about Math Only Math. Use this Google Search to find what you need.



New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Ask a Question or Answer a Question.




Share this page: What’s this?

Recent Articles

  1. Patterns in Numbers | Patterns in Maths |Math Patterns|Series Patterns

    Dec 13, 24 08:43 AM

    Complete the Series Patterns
    We see so many patterns around us in our daily life. We know that a pattern is an arrangement of objects, colors, or numbers placed in a certain order. Some patterns neither grow nor reduce but only r…

    Read More

  2. Patterns in Math | Missing Number | Counting Numbers | Worksheets

    Dec 13, 24 12:31 AM

    Finding patterns in math is very important to understand the sequence in the series. We need to find the exact missing number that from the group of numbers. The counting numbers may be counting

    Read More

  3. Concept of Pattern | Similar Patterns in Mathematics | Similar Pattern

    Dec 12, 24 11:22 PM

    Patterns in Necklace
    Concept of pattern will help us to learn the basic number patterns and table patterns. Animals such as all cows, all lions, all dogs and all other animals have dissimilar features. All mangoes have si…

    Read More

  4. 2nd Grade Geometry Worksheet | Plane and Solid Shapes | Point | Line

    Dec 12, 24 10:31 PM

    Curved Line and Straight Line
    2nd grade geometry worksheet

    Read More

  5. Types of Lines |Straight Lines|Curved Lines|Horizontal Lines| Vertical

    Dec 09, 24 10:39 PM

    Types of Lines
    What are the different types of lines? There are two different kinds of lines. (i) Straight line and (ii) Curved line. There are three different types of straight lines. (i) Horizontal lines, (ii) Ver…

    Read More

Literal Numbers - Worksheets

Worksheet on Addition of Literals

Worksheet on Subtraction of Literals

Worksheet on Multiplication of Literals

Worksheet on Division of Literals

Worksheet on Powers of Literal Numbers