The equal sign and missing numbers (grade 1) · lesson

= means the same as

💡 The = sign means the two sides have the same amount.

Think of a balance. Each side must weigh the same.

8 + 4 = ? + 5. The left is 12. So the right must be 12 too. ? is 7.

🧠 How to think about it

Work out the side you can. Then ask: what makes the other side match it?

🏡 Try it at home

Put 3 + 2 spoons on one side and 4 + 1 forks on the other. Are they the same?

💡 A number sentence is true only when both sides are the same.

7 = 8 − 1 is true. Both sides are 7.

4 + 1 = 5 + 2 is false. The left is 5. The right is 7.

🧠 How to think about it

Find the amount on each side. Same amount? True. Not the same? False.

🏡 Try it at home

Say a number sentence out loud, like 2 + 2 = 5. Your child says true or false.

💡 The missing number can be first, in the middle, or last.

8 + ? = 11. Count up from 8 to 11. It is 3.

? + 5 = 9. What plus 5 makes 9? It is 4.

🧠 How to think about it

13 − ? = 6. Ask: 6 plus what is 13? Count up from 6. It is 7.

🏡 Try it at home

Put 8 coins down. Hide some under your hand. Show 5. How many are hidden?

💡 The = sign works both ways, so the total can come first.

9 = 4 + 5 is true. The 9 is on the left.

5 = ? − 3. What take away 3 is 5? It is 8.

🧠 How to think about it

Read it as "9 is the same as 4 plus 5." That way, order does not matter.

🏡 Try it at home

Write 6 = 3 + 3 on paper. Read it as "6 is the same as 3 plus 3."