Grade 2 · Unit 4: Patterns and algebra

Number sentences

An equals sign means “the same as”.

Fair and equal

A balance is level when both sides are the same. The equals sign works like a balance. It means “is the same as”.

Both sides balance

4 + 5 = 9 is a number sentence. The left side has the same value as the right. 9 = 4 + 5 is also true!

Not just the answer

The equals sign does not always come before the answer. 6 + 4 = 3 + 7 is true because both sides are 10. Think “balance”, not “the answer is”.

Find the unknown

The ☐ is an unknown. What do we add to 8 to make 12? ☐ = 4, because 8 + 4 = 12.

What I learnt

• I know = means “the same as”.
• I can write and solve number sentences.