Reading the +, −, and = signs

Mathematics · Addition & Subtraction · ages 5-6

Name ______________________ Date ____________

How do you read the − sign?
- plus
- minus
- equals
4 + 1 = [ ]. What number goes in the box?
Answer: ______________
How do you read 3 + 2 = 5 aloud?
- three plus two is less than five
- two plus three equals six
- three plus two equals five
- three minus two equals five
How do you read the + sign?
- plus
- minus
- equals
Kim says 6 = 6 is a correct number sentence. Is Kim right?
Circle one: True False
9 - 4 = [ ]. What number goes in the box?
Answer: ______________
Which number sentence matches: five take away two leaves three?
- 5 + 2 = 3
- 2 - 5 = 3
- 5 - 3 = 2
- 5 - 2 = 3
Which sentence best explains the = sign?
- It means the answer comes next
- Both sides are the same amount
- It means stop counting
Zoe sees 5 − 2 = 3 and says it just means 'the answer is 3.' What is a better way to think about it?
- 5 − 2 is the same amount as 3
- 5 is bigger than 2
- 3 comes after 5
10 = 3 + [ ]. What number goes in the box?
Answer: ______________

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

minus · The − sign is read as minus. It means take away.
5 · 4 plus 1 is 5.
three plus two equals five · + reads as plus and = reads as equals.
plus · The + sign is read as plus. It means put together.
True · Kim is right. Both sides are the same, so = fits.
5 · 9 take away 4 leaves 5.
5 - 2 = 3 · Take away uses -, and 5 - 2 = 3.
Both sides are the same amount · The = sign shows both sides match in amount.
5 − 2 is the same amount as 3 · The = sign means both sides match, not just 'here comes the answer.'
7 · 3 plus 7 is 10, so the box holds 7.