If I have 5 pears in one box and 2 pears in another box.

How many pears do I have altogether?

7, or 5

Step-by-step explanation:

If the pears are in separate boxes, then 7

If one box is inside the other box, then 5, as 2 pears would be inside the inner box, and 3 pears would be in the outer box. 5 pears total would be in the outer box (including the ones from the inner box)