Reading +, −, and = symbols
Read, write, and interpret the symbols +, −, and = in number sentences
What a learner can do afterwards
- Read 3 + 2 = 5 aloud as 'three plus two equals five'
- Write a number sentence to match a concrete addition situation
- Interpret the = sign as 'is the same as' rather than just 'the answer is'
1 · Read
You have joined groups and taken things away. Signs help you write those actions. The + sign means plus, or put together. The − sign means minus, or take away. The = sign means equals, or the same amount as. Read each number and sign from left to right.
Nina has 1 star and finds 3 more. Count both groups: 4 stars. Write the starting number, then +, then how many join. After =, write the total: 1 + 3 = 4. Here 1 is the starting group, 3 tells how many join, and 4 is the total.
The = sign says both sides have the same amount. Work out each side to check. In 1 + 3 = 2 + 2, each side makes 4. You can also write 4 = 1 + 3. Both sides still make 4. A sentence such as 4 = 4 needs no adding.
Each side shows 4 dots. The amounts match.
Nina has 7 stars and gives away 3. Four remain. Write the starting number, then −, then how many leave. After =, write how many remain: 7 − 3 = 4. Read it as seven minus three equals four. Here 3 tells how many are taken away.
A box [ ] holds a missing number. For 2 + [ ] = 9, start with 2 counters. Add counters until you have 9. You added 7, so the box holds 7. This also works in 9 = 2 + [ ]. When both sides have sums, find one total first. Then find the missing number that makes the other side match.
Plus means put together, minus means take away, and equals means both sides match.
Lesson, questions and flashcards written for this learning dataset.
Readings and extra questions written for this learning dataset. Video references: Equal sign and Relating addition and subtraction by Khan Academy. Video reuse terms have not been verified.
More to read
Reading each sign
Point to each part of 6 + 1 = 7. Say six, plus, one, equals, seven. The + sign tells you to join the groups. The = sign says the two amounts match. You can read a take-away sentence too. Read 8 − 2 = 6 as eight minus two equals six.
From a story to signs
A tray holds 8 apples. Someone takes 3 apples away. Five remain. Write 8 for the starting group. Write − 3 for the apples taken away. Finish with = 5 for the amount left. The sentence is 8 − 3 = 5. Read the story again and check each number.
What belongs in the box?
In 1 + [ ] = 4, the box holds a number. Put out 1 counter. Add counters until you have 4. You added 3 counters, so put 3 in the box. Check the sentence: 1 + 3 makes 4. Both sides now have the same amount.
Checking two amounts
Look at 1 + 4 = 2 + 3. Add the numbers on each side. The left side makes 5. The right side also makes 5, so the amounts match. You can also write 5 = 1 + 4. The total can come before = or after it.
Explore more
2 · Watch
به انگلیسیTake it off screen
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
18 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.