What does the equals sign mean?

Mathematics · Addition & Subtraction · ages 6-7

Name ______________________ Date ____________

What does the equals sign mean?
- The answer comes next
- Both sides are the same
- Add the numbers together
Is 4 + 1 = 5 + 2 true?
- Yes, both sides are 6
- No, 5 is not 7
- Yes, both sides match
- No, 4 is not 5
4 + 3 = 5 + ?. What is the missing number?
Answer: ______________
6 = 6 is true.
Circle one: True False
= means both sides balance, not just write the answer next. Is that right?
Circle one: True False
Which number makes 8 + 2 = ? + 5 true?
- 6
- 3
- 5
- 4
9 = 3 + ?. What is the missing number?
Answer: ______________
Is 7 = 3 + 5 true or false?
- True
- False, 3 + 5 is 8, not 7
- False, 7 is bigger than 3 + 5
Leo says: '4 + 3 = 7, so the answer is 7. That means = means the answer comes next.' What is wrong with Leo's idea?
- He should have used a minus sign instead
- Nothing, he is right
- He forgot = also works when the total comes first, like 7 = 4 + 3
10 - 4 = 9 - 3 because both sides equal 6. Is that right?
Circle one: True False

Answer key

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

Both sides are the same · = means both sides balance, not just 'here comes the answer.'
No, 5 is not 7 · 4 + 1 = 5 but 5 + 2 = 7, so it is false.
2 · 7 = 5 + 2.
True · Both sides show 6, so they are the same amount.
True · Right: = is balance, not a next step arrow.
5 · 10 = 5 + 5.
6 · 3 + 6 = 9.
False, 3 + 5 is 8, not 7 · 3 + 5 is 8. 7 is not the same as 8, so it is false.
He forgot = also works when the total comes first, like 7 = 4 + 3 · The equals sign means 'the same as' either way round. It still works when the total comes first, like 7 = 4 + 3.
True · Right: 10 - 4 = 6 and 9 - 3 = 6.