Units in the metric system are added in the same way as whole numbers.

Remember: Carefully write measures to be added under the units.

Addition of length

Example 12: Add 15 cm 5 mm and 10 cm 7 mm.

Step 1: Add mm.
5 mm + 7 mm = 12 mm
12 mm = 1cm 2 mm
Carry 1 cm to centimeter column. Write 2 in mm column.

Step 2: Add cm.
1 cm + 15 cm + 10 cm = 26 cm

Answer: 26 cm 2 mm

Example 13: Add 55 m 50 cm and 42 m 65 cm.

Step 1: Add cm.

50 cm + 65 cm = 115 cm

115 cm = 1 m 15 cm

Carry over 1 m to meter column. Write 15 in cm column.

Step 2: Add meters.

1 m + 55 m + 42 m = 98 m

Answer:98 m 15 cm

Example 14: Add 5 km 540 m and 2 km 220 m

Step 1: Add meters.

540 m + 220 m = 760 m

Step 2: Add km

5 km + 2 km = 7 km

Answer:7 km 760 m

Addition of weight

Example 15: Add 12 kg 440 g and 15 kg 650 g.

Step 1: Add grams.

440 g + 650 g = 1090g

1090 g = 1 kg + 90 gm

Carry over 1 kg to kg column.

Step 2: Add kilograms

1kg + 12 kg + 15 kg = 28 kg

Answer: 28 kg 90 gm

Addition of capacity

Example 16: Add 35 l 560 ml and 22 l 80 ml.

Step 1: Add milliliters.

560 ml + 80 ml = 640 ml

Step 2: Add liters.

35 l + 22 l = 57 l

Answer: 57 l 640 ml