Let's break this down. We're going to add 973 and 8024 together.

Step 1: We'll start by adding the digits 3 & 4 in column 1 and get 7.

Step 2: We'll start by adding the digits 7 & 2 in column 2 and get 9.

Step 3: We'll start by adding the digits 9 & 0 in column 3 and get 9.

Step 4: We'll start by adding the digits 0 & 8 in column 4 and get 8.

So, 973 + 8024 = 8997.

