Okay, we are given 9981 and 5998. Let's add them up step by step.

Step 1: We'll start by adding the digits 1 & 8 in column 1 and get 9.

Step 2: We'll start by adding the digits 8 & 9 in column 2 and get 17.
We'll write down the last digit 7 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 9 & 5 in column 4 and get 15.
We'll write down the last digit 5 and carry the 1 to the next column.

So, 9981 + 5998 = 15979.

