In standard arithmetic, 1 plus 1 equals 2, not 3. Let's see why. When we have one unit, represented by this blue dot, and we add another unit, we get a total of two units, not three.
Addition is the mathematical operation of combining quantities. When we see the plus symbol, it tells us to put things together. One unit plus one unit gives us two units in total, because we're combining the quantities, not creating new ones.
If 1 plus 1 equaled 3, we would need three separate units as the result. But when we combine one unit with another unit, we only get two units total. Three units would require adding an extra unit that doesn't exist in our original problem.
The number line clearly shows why 1 plus 1 equals 2. Starting at position 1 and moving one step forward brings us to position 2, not 3. Each number on the line represents a specific quantity, and addition means moving that many steps forward.
In conclusion, 1 plus 1 equals 2, not 3, because mathematics follows consistent rules. When we combine one unit with another unit, we get exactly two units. This fundamental principle ensures that mathematical operations produce reliable and predictable results that we can depend on in science, engineering, and everyday life.