1. **State the problem:** Add the two numbers given in columns: $$\begin{array}{ccc} & 5 & 6 & 3 \\ + & 2 & 1 & 8 & 5 \end{array}$$ 2. **Align the numbers properly:** Since the second number has 4 digits and the first has 3, align the first number to the right: $$\begin{array}{cccc} 0 & 5 & 6 & 3 \\ 2 & 1 & 8 & 5 \end{array}$$ 3. **Add column by column from right to left:** - Units: $3 + 5 = 8$ - Tens: $6 + 8 = 14$, write 4 carry 1 - Hundreds: $5 + 1 + 1 (carry) = 7$ - Thousands: $0 + 2 = 2$ 4. **Write the final sum:** $$\boxed{2748}$$ This is the sum of the two numbers.