Instructional Videos:
Balancing Equations
The equal sign is one of the most important symbols in elementary mathematics, in algebra, and in all mathematics using numbers and operations. In first grade, students are taught that both sides of the equal signs are equivalent, or are in balance. Students can develop misconceptions regarding the equal sign from a very early age. When students encounter equations such as 5 + 7 = ____ and 9 – 3 = ____ they think that the symbol comes to signify, “and the answer is.”
To develop the idea of equivalence and balancing, teachers begin their instruction by representing number situations like this: