Equal Examples in Math

Start with the recap, study the fully worked examples, then use the practice problems to check your understanding of Equal.

This page combines explanation, solved examples, and follow-up practice so you can move from recognition to confident problem-solving in Math.

Concept Recap

Having exactly the same value or amount; the relationship expressed by the symbol $=$ between two expressions.

Like a balanced scale—both sides weigh the same. If you add weight to one side, you must add to the other.

Read the full concept explanation →

How to Use These Examples

Read the first worked example with the solution open so the structure is clear.
Try the practice problems before revealing each solution.
Use the related concepts and background knowledge badges if you feel stuck.

What to Focus On

Core idea: Equal means both sides have exactly the same value, so the = sign is a balance, not a 'do it now' button.

Common stuck point: The procedure for equal is the easy part; the trap is reading = as 'the answer goes here'. Asking "Am I claiming two things have exactly the same value (a balance), not just computing the next number?" first is what keeps a correct-looking calculation from being attached to the wrong concept.

Sense of Study hint: Ask: Am I claiming two things have exactly the same value (a balance), not just computing the next number?

Worked Examples

Example 1

easy

Is the equation

3 + 4 = 8 - 1

true? Show why.

Answer

\text{True: both sides equal } 7

First step

Evaluate the left side:

3 + 4 = 7

Full solution

2
Evaluate the right side: $8 - 1 = 7$ .
3
Both sides equal 7, so the equation is true: $7 = 7$ .

The equals sign means both sides represent the same value, not that the left side produces the right side. Evaluating each side independently and comparing confirms equality. The equation is a balance, not a one-way computation.

Example 2

medium

Find the value of

x

that makes

2x + 3 = 11

true.

Example 3

easy

You have 1 star. Your friend has 1 star. Are the two groups equal?

Example 4

easy

🍪🍪🍪🍪 and 🥛🥛. Are the two groups equal?

Example 5

medium

🍓🍓🍓 strawberries on the left. 🍓🍓 strawberries on the right. Are they equal?

Example 6

easy

One tens frame has 6 dots. Another has 8 dots. Which sign is true:

6 = 8

6 \neq 8

Example 7

easy

A tens frame is full. Does the frame equal 10?

Example 8

medium

Set A has 8 stickers. Set B has 10 stickers. How many stickers do you add to A to make it equal to B?

Example 9

easy

Find the missing number:

7 + \underline{\quad} = 10

Example 10

easy

Is the equation

4 + 5 = 6 + 3

true?

Example 11

hard

Find the missing number:

6 + 7 = \underline{\quad} + 5

Example 12

easy

Is the equation

30 + 20 = 25 + 25

true?

Example 13

easy

Which sign makes it true:

36 + 14 \;?\; 25 + 25

. Choose

=

<

, or

>

Example 14

hard

Find the missing number:

\underline{\quad} + 27 = 38 + 49

Practice Problems

Try these problems on your own first, then open the solution to compare your method.

Example 1

easy

Fill in the blank:

12 - 5 = \_ + 2

Example 2

medium

Determine whether

\frac{4}{6} = \frac{6}{9}

. Justify your answer.

Example 3

easy

Is the statement

4 = 4

true?

Example 4

easy

Fill the blank to make it true:

3 + 2 = \underline{\quad}

Example 5

easy

Which sign makes it true:

6 \;?\; 6

Example 6

easy

Fill the blank:

7 = 3 + \underline{\quad}

Example 7

easy

True or false: a balanced scale shows the two sides are equal.

Example 8

easy

Does

2 + 3 = 3 + 2

Example 9

easy

5 = 2 + 3

a correct equation?

Example 10

easy

Fill the blank to balance:

\underline{\quad} = 9 - 4

Example 11

medium

Find

x

x + 5 = 12

Example 12

medium

Why is the chain

3 + 2 = 5 + 1 = 6

wrong? State the correct value of

3+2

Example 13

medium

Find

x

3x = 21

Example 14

medium

Are

\frac{2}{4}

and

\frac{1}{2}

equal?

Example 15

medium

a = b

and

b = 7

, what is

a

Example 16

medium

Solve for

y

2y + 1 = 9

Example 17

medium

0.5 = \frac{1}{2}

Example 18

medium

Fill in to keep both sides equal:

4 + 6 = 5 + \underline{\quad}

Example 19

challenge

Solve for

x

\frac{x}{3} + 2 = 5

Example 20

challenge

5 = \square + 2

and

\square = \triangle - 1

, find

\triangle

Example 21

challenge

For what value of

k

2(k+3) = 14

true?

Example 22

medium

Are the expressions

2\times 3

and

3 + 3

equal?

Example 23

easy

🍎🍎 and 🍎🍎. Are the two groups equal?

Example 24

easy

🐶🐶🐶 and 🐱🐱. Are the two groups equal?

Example 25

easy

🟦🟦🟦 and 🟥🟥🟥. Are the blocks equal?

Example 26

medium

🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠 and 🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢. Are the two groups equal?

Example 27

hard

🦋🦋 and 🐝🐝🐝. Add one more 🦋 to the left. Are they equal now?

Example 28

easy

A tens frame has 5 dots. Another tens frame has 5 dots. Are the two frames equal?

Example 29

easy

Does the set

\{🍎,🍎,🍎,🍎,🍎,🍎,🍎\}

equal 10?

Example 30

easy

3 + 4 = 7

a true equation?

Example 31

medium

Fill in the blank to make the equation true:

6 + 4 = \underline{\quad}

Example 32

medium

A tens frame has 9 dots. Another tens frame has 9 dots. Are the two frames equal?

Example 33

easy

Find the missing number:

5 + \underline{\quad} = 8

Example 34

easy

Find the missing number:

\underline{\quad} + 6 = 9

Example 35

easy

Find the missing number:

9 = \underline{\quad} + 4

Example 36

medium

Find the missing number:

8 + \underline{\quad} = 15

Example 37

medium

Find the missing number:

\underline{\quad} - 4 = 9

Example 38

easy

Is the equation

10 + 5 = 8 + 7

true?

Example 39

easy

Find the missing number:

25 + \underline{\quad} = 50

Example 40

easy

Find the missing number:

40 + 15 = \underline{\quad} + 25

Example 41

medium

Find the missing number:

48 + \underline{\quad} = 75

Example 42

medium

Find the missing number:

26 + 19 = 30 + \underline{\quad}

← Back to Equal Formula Explained Practice Mode

Related Concepts

Counting Equations Expressions

Background Knowledge

These ideas may be useful before you work through the harder examples.

counting