These counting methods are sometimes difficult for students to grasp. One of the things that often causes confusion is the names we have given a couple of them -- the addition principle and the multiplication principle. Because of their names, people frequently confuse these principles with the arithmetic operations with the same names. The properties are different and the relationship is different. Make sure you understand the differences. Describe the situations in which the addition counting principle will apply and give at least one example. Describe the situations in which the multiplication counting principle will apply and give at least one example.