We are presented with 1873 and 1981. Let's work out the sum.

Step 1: We'll start by adding the digits 3 & 1 in column 1 and get 4.

Step 2: We'll start by adding the digits 7 & 8 in column 2 and get 15.
We'll write down the last digit 5 and carry the 1 to the next column.

Step 3: We'll start by adding the digits 8 & 9 in column 3 and get 18.
We'll write down the last digit 8 and carry the 1 to the next column.

Step 4: We'll start by adding the digits 1 & 1 in column 4 and get 3.

So, 1873 + 1981 = 3854.

