We are presented with 8990 and 3978. Let's work out the sum.

Step 1: We'll start by adding the digits 0 & 8 in column 1 and get 8.

Step 2: We'll start by adding the digits 9 & 7 in column 2 and get 16.
We'll write down the last digit 6 and carry the 1 to the next column.

Step 3: We'll start by adding the digits 9 & 9 in column 3 and get 19.
We'll write down the last digit 9 and carry the 1 to the next column.

Step 4: We'll start by adding the digits 8 & 3 in column 4 and get 12.
We'll write down the last digit 2 and carry the 1 to the next column.

So, 8990 + 3978 = 12968.

