What does counting on mean in math?

Counting on is a mathematical strategy used primarily in addition, where a person starts with a number and counts forward to find the sum. For example, if adding 3 + 2, one might start at 3 and then count up two more (4, 5) to arrive at the answer of 5. This method helps reinforce number sense and can make addition more intuitive, especially for young learners. It emphasizes the concept of incrementing numbers rather than relying solely on memorization.