Equality means that two quantities or numerical expressions have the same value, whether or not they look alike; the equal sign expresses a relationship between both sides, not a signal that an answer follows. This includes comparing whole-number quantities and simple addition or subtraction expressions within 20, using representations such as number lines or ten-frames to justify equivalence, while excluding generalized algebraic equations, variables, and more advanced number ranges.
The equal sign, , means “has the same value as.” Compare the amount on the left with the amount on the right.
Example:
Find the value of the left side:
Find the value of the right side:
Compare the two values. Both sides equal , so they have the same value.
Therefore,
You can also check with a number line: start at and move forward spaces to land on . Start at and move forward spaces to land on . Since both expressions land on , the equation is true.
The equal sign connects two equal amounts; it does not mean that an answer comes next.
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