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When we talk about adding numbers, the figures that we combine are called addends. Consider a simple addition problem like 3 + 5. Here, both 3 and 5 are addends – they are the values that we are interested in combining to reach our final number.

Imagine you're at a fruit stand, and you have 3 apples in your bag. If you add 5 more apples, the 3 apples and the 5 apples you’ve added are the two addends in this real-life addition problem. Addends can be any type of numerical value, positive or negative, whole numbers or decimals. It's crucial to recognize addends because they are the foundation of understanding more complex arithmetic.

In the world of mathematics, symbols are the shorthand that tell us what action to take with numbers. The plus sign (+) is one of these essential symbols, and its job is to tell us to add the numbers or addends placed on either side of it.

For instance, if we see 7 + 2, the plus sign sits between the 7 and the 2, instructing us to add these numbers together. It's the mathematical equivalent of saying 'combine these' or 'put these together'. Remember that the plus sign is not just limited to simple problems. It's used in equations, spreadsheets, and even in coding to combine numbers or increase values. Recognizing the plus sign is vital for understanding the operation you’re being asked to perform.

After identifying the addends and understanding the instruction given by the plus sign, we arrive at the answer to our addition problem. This answer is known as the sum. The sum is what you get when you combine all your addends.

Going back to our earlier example with the apples: if you add 3 apples to the 5 you already have, you’ll end up with a total, or sum, of 8 apples. The sum is what we usually are trying to find when we are adding numbers together. It's important to recognize the term 'sum' as it is often used in mathematics to refer to the result of an addition problem. Understanding this term is essential for correctly interpreting and solving addition problems in your math journey.