In mathematical terms, the phrase 'increased by' most commonly indicates which operation?

The phrase "increased by" in mathematical language indicates the operation of addition. When someone states that a number is to be increased by a certain amount, it means that you take the original number and add the specified quantity to it.

For example, if you have the number 5 and it is increased by 3, you perform the operation 5 + 3, resulting in 8. This clear relationship aligns with how we interpret "increased by" in an additive context. Thus, the phrase is inherently linked to the concept of combining quantities or enhancing a value, which defines addition.

Understanding this terminology is crucial for approaching word problems and mathematical expressions accurately, as it helps in forming the correct equations and performing the appropriate calculations.