Sum vs. Total: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Sum refers to the result of adding numbers together, while total is the complete amount or quantity of all counted or calculated elements.
Key Differences
Sum is a term commonly used in mathematics, specifically referring to the result obtained from adding two or more numbers. Total, however, encompasses the whole amount or quantity of something, often used in contexts beyond just arithmetic.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 19, 2023
In mathematical operations, 'sum' is used to denote the answer to an addition problem. 'Total' can refer to the final amount in various contexts, such as the total cost of items purchased or the total number of items.
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Nov 19, 2023
While 'sum' is primarily associated with the process of addition, 'total' is often used as both a noun and a verb, indicating the act of calculating the total amount or describing the overall quantity.
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Nov 19, 2023
Sum is more specific in its application to the field of mathematics and arithmetic calculations. Total is a more versatile term, used in various fields like accounting, statistics, and everyday language to denote the aggregate or complete amount.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 19, 2023
In a broader sense, 'sum' also implies a summary or brief, but this is a secondary meaning. 'Total', on the other hand, can also imply the entirety or the whole of something in a more general sense.
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Nov 19, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
The result of adding numbers
The complete amount or quantity
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Nov 19, 2023
Additional Meanings
Can imply a summary or brief
Implies entirety or whole of something
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Nov 19, 2023
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Sum and Total Definitions
Sum
Total obtained by adding numbers.
He calculated the sum of all expenses.
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Nov 19, 2023
Sum
An amount obtained through addition.
The sum of the parts equals the whole.
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Nov 19, 2023
Total
The entirety of something counted or calculated.
The total number of participants was 200.
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Nov 19, 2023
Sum
A mathematical term for addition result.
Find the sum of these three numbers.
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Nov 19, 2023
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Total
Aggregate sum of various elements.
The total of all invoices was higher this month.
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Nov 19, 2023
Total
Comprehensive quantity or amount.
The total damage from the storm is still being assessed.
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Nov 19, 2023
Total
The whole amount of something; the entirety
The storm damaged the total of the housing units.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
The whole amount, quantity, or number; an aggregate
The sum of the team's combined experience.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Of, relating to, or constituting the whole amount; entire
The total population of the city.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Complete; utter; absolute
Total concentration.
A total effort.
A total fool.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
To determine the total of; add up
They totaled the applications at 600.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
To equal a total of; amount to
The week's receipts totaled more than $90,000.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
To wreck completely; demolish
The driver survived the crash but totaled the car.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
A quantity obtained by addition or aggregation.
The sum of 3 and 4 is 7.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
An amount obtained by the addition of smaller amounts.
A total of £145 was raised by the bring-and-buy stall.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
(often plural) An arithmetic computation, especially one posed to a student as an exercise (not necessarily limited to addition).
We're learning about division, and the sums are tricky.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Entire; relating to the whole of something.
The total book is rubbish from start to finish.
The total number of votes cast is 3,270.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
A summary; the principal points or thoughts when viewed together; the amount; the substance; compendium.
This is the sum of all the evidence in the case.
This is the sum and substance of his objections.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
(mathematics) (of a function) Defined on all possible inputs.
The Ackermann function is one of the simplest and earliest examples of a total computable function that is not primitive recursive.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
(transitive) To add up; to calculate the sum of.
When we totalled the takings, we always got a different figure.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
To demolish; to wreck completely. (from total loss)
Honey, I’m OK, but I’ve totaled the car.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
A type of administrative district used in China, Mongolia, and Russia. In Mongolia, a sum is smaller than a province. In China, it is only used in Inner Mongolia, where it is equivalent to a township.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Whole; not divided; entire; full; complete; absolute; as, a total departure from the evidence; a total loss.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
The whole; the whole sum or amount; as, these sums added make the grand total of five millions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
To determine the total of (a set of numbers); to add; - often used with up; as, to total up the bill.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
To damage beyond repair; - used especially of vehicles damaged in an accident; as, he skid on an ice patch and totaled his Mercedes against a tree. From total loss.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
The aggregate of two or more numbers, magnitudes, quantities, or particulars; the amount or whole of any number of individuals or particulars added together; as, the sum of 5 and 7 is 12.
Take ye the sum of all the congregation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
A quantity of money or currency; any amount, indefinitely; as, a sum of money; a small sum, or a large sum.
With a great sum obtained I this freedom.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
The principal points or thoughts when viewed together; the amount; the substance; compendium; as, this is the sum of all the evidence in the case; this is the sum and substance of his objections.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Add up in number or quantity;
The bills amounted to $2,000
The bill came to $2,000
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
Height; completion; utmost degree.
Thus have I told thee all my state, and broughtMy story to the sum of earthly bliss.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Determine the sum of;
Add all the people in this town to those of the neighboring town
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
A problem to be solved, or an example to be wrought out.
A sum in arithmetic wherein a flaw discovered at a particular point is ipso facto fatal to the whole.
A large sheet of paper . . . covered with long sums.
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Constituting the full quantity or extent; complete;
An entire town devastated by an earthquake
Gave full attention
A total failure
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
To bring together into one whole; to collect into one amount; to cast up, as a column of figures; to ascertain the totality of; - usually with up.
The mind doth value every moment, and then the hour doth rather sum up the moments, than divide the day.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
To bring or collect into a small compass; to comprise in a few words; to condense; - usually with up.
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard," in few words sums up the moral of this fable.
He sums their virtues in himself alone.
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
To have (the feathers) full grown; to furnish with complete, or full-grown, plumage.
But feathered soon and fledgeThey summed their pens [wings].
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Oct 19, 2023
Total
Complete in extent or degree and in every particular;
A full game
A total eclipse
A total disaster
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
A quantity of money;
He borrowed a large sum
The amount he had in cash was insufficient
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
The final aggregate;
The sum of all our troubles did not equal the misery they suffered
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience;
The gist of the prosecutor's argument
The heart and soul of the Republican Party
The nub of the story
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
A set containing all and only the members of two or more given sets;
Let C be the union of the sets A and B
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Oct 19, 2023
Sum
Determine the sum of;
Add all the people in this town to those of the neighboring town
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is sum used in mathematical equations?
Yes, it's a common term in arithmetic.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 19, 2023
Is sum always about numbers?
Primarily, yes, it refers to the result of adding numbers.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can total refer to a quantity of items?
Yes, it can refer to the complete count of items.
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Nov 19, 2023
Does total imply completeness?
Yes, it denotes the complete amount or entirety.
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Nov 19, 2023
Do sums only apply to positive numbers?
No, sums can involve any numbers, including negatives.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can total be a verb?
Yes, it can be used as a verb meaning to calculate the total.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is total used in accounting?
Yes, it's commonly used to indicate the overall amount.
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Nov 19, 2023
Are sums important in budgeting?
Yes, they're crucial for calculating expenses.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can sum have non-mathematical meanings?
Yes, it can also mean a summary or essence.
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Nov 19, 2023
Are sums always exact?
In mathematics, sums are exact, but the term can be used loosely.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is sum used in statistics?
Yes, it's used to describe the total of a data set.
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Nov 19, 2023
Does sum refer to an addition process?
Yes, it's specifically the result of addition.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 19, 2023
Does total encompass all aspects?
Yes, it includes all elements in a count or calculation.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is sum limited to two numbers?
No, it can involve adding any number of values.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can total indicate the final amount?
Yes, it often refers to the final or overall amount.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 19, 2023
Can total be used in everyday language?
Yes, it's used to refer to the overall amount in various contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 19, 2023
Is total a broader term than sum?
Yes, it has a wider range of applications.
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Nov 19, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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