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Explain how to balance equations with addition expressions

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can explain how to balance equations with addition expressions.

Key learning points

  1. If one addend is increased and the other is decreased by the same amount, the sum stays the same.
  2. If one addend is increased or decreased then the sum increases or decreases by the same amount.

Keywords

  • Unknown - An unknown is a quantity that has a set value but it is represented by a symbol or letter.

  • Equation - An equation is used to show that one number, calculation or expression is equal to another.

  • Expression - An expression contains one or more values, where each value is separated by an operator.

Common misconception

Pupils immediately calculate expressions instead of considering the relationship between expressions.

Take time to model interrogation of values within expressions, identifying relationships between them. Encourage this reasoning and show how it can be more efficient than calculation especially in situations with larger values.

Teacher tip

Pupils are expected to reason about decimal values within the lesson including rounding to the nearest whole number. Consider whether some learners may need consolidation of decimal values prior to the lesson.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following expressions has the same sum as 132 + 16? Can you reason without calculating?

130 + 16
Correct answer: 128 + 20
134 + 18
Correct answer: 142 + 6

Q2.
Which of the following expressions has the same difference as 200 − 90? Can you reason without calculating?

Correct answer: 205 − 95
205 − 85
Correct answer: 180 − 70
210 − 90

Q3.
Round 14,703 to the nearest multiple of 10

Correct Answer: 14,700

Q4.
Use the correct inequality symbol to make this correct: 234,076 78,835

Correct Answer: >

Q5.
What is 17.37 when rounded to the nearest whole number?

Correct Answer: 17

Q6.
Use an efficient strategy to calculate 14,758 + 12,030 =

Correct Answer: 26,788

6 Questions

Q1.
Use rounding, estimating, comparing or reasoning to determine the missing symbol in this inequality statement. 23 + 17 32 + 28

Correct Answer: <

Q2.
Use rounding, estimating, comparing or reasoning to determine the missing symbol in this inequality statement. 4.7 + 3.9 4.9 + 2.5

Correct Answer: >

Q3.
Use rounding, estimating, comparing or reasoning to determine the missing symbol in this inequality statement. 34,506 + 17,853 56,231 + 19,106

Correct Answer: <

Q4.
Complete the equation that is represented by the bar model. a + 6,214 =

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 9,604 + 3,007, 3,007 + 9,604

Q5.
Balance the equation by finding the unknown value. d + 17.6 = 17.65 + 102 What is the value of d?

Correct Answer: 102.05

Q6.
Balance the equation by finding the unknown value. 14.62 + 18.95 = f + 31.5 What is the value of f?

Correct Answer: 2.07

To help you plan your 6 maths lesson on: Explain how to balance equations with addition expressions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...