get total number of likes and shares

i'm a total noob when it comes to programming. here's what i need to know:

how does one get the total number of facebook shares for a certain webpage and how does one do the same for twitter? i've seen someone ask the same or very similar question but what i need to know is how can i use this data?

i can get the numbers on the screen and have a look but what's the use in that? what i want to have is a way to add the fb likes, shares and tweets together and display the total number somewhere on my webpage. if you guys are willing to help, please be very detailed and do it in baby steps. and no php, please.