The term 'combined' is most closely related to which mathematical operation?

The term 'combined' is most closely related to addition because it implies bringing together two or more quantities to form a total. In mathematics, addition is the operation used to combine numbers. When you combine values, you typically add them together to find the sum.

In various contexts, such as in measurement, finances, or counting items, combining often means to increase a total by adding separate amounts. This concept is foundational in understanding basic arithmetic and serves as a key principle when working with numbers in both academic and real-world situations.

Other mathematical operations like subtraction, division, or multiplication do not align with the idea of combining in the same way. While subtraction removes quantities, division splits them, and multiplication involves repeated addition, none of these directly expresses the act of combining values as simply and clearly as addition does.