Addition and subtraction – balance equations – up to 20

🌟 What is a Balanced Equation?

  • A balanced equation means both sides are equal.
  • The equal sign (=) shows both sides have the same value.
  • Example:
    👉 6 + 4 = 10
    👉 10 = 6 + 4

⚖️ Think of a Balance Scale

  • Imagine a balance scale ⚖️.
  • If both sides have the same weight → it is balanced.
  • If not equal → it is not balanced.

➕ Balancing Addition Equations

Add numbers on both sides and check:

  • 👉 5 + 3 = 4 + 4 ✔ (Both = 8)
  • 👉 7 + 2 = 6 + 3 ✔ (Both = 9)

If both sides give the same number → balanced.

➖ Balancing Subtraction Equations

Subtract and compare:

  • 👉 10 − 4 = 6 ✔
  • 👉 9 − 3 = 6 ✔

So: 10 − 4 = 9 − 3 ✔ (Balanced)

🔢 Find the Missing Number

Fill the box to make both sides equal:

  • 👉 6 + ⬜ = 10 → ⬜ = 4
  • 👉 ⬜ − 3 = 5 → ⬜ = 8

Always think: what number makes both sides equal?

🔄 Use Addition & Subtraction Together

Example:

  • 👉 8 + 2 = ⬜ + 5
  • Left side = 10
  • So: ⬜ + 5 = 10 → ⬜ = 5

🚫 Check if Not Balanced

  • 👉 5 + 2 = 6 ❌ (7 ≠ 6)
  • 👉 9 − 4 = 3 ❌ (5 ≠ 3)
  • If both sides are not equal → not balanced

💡 Tips for Students

  • Always solve both sides first.
  • Compare the answers.
  • Use fingers, counters, or drawings 🟢.
  • Numbers should be within 20.

🎯 Practice Examples

  • ✔ 4 + 6 = 5 + 5
  • ✔ 12 − 2 = 8 + 2
  • ❌ 7 + 3 = 9
  • ✔ 15 − 5 = 10

Learn with an example

📗 Which number makes the equation true?

8 + 8 = 19 −

  • First, add 8 + 8:
  • 8 + 8 = 19 − ?
  • 16 = 19 − ?
  • Find the number that makes the subtraction number sentence true.
  • 19 − ? = 16
  • Subtract 16 from both sides:
  • 19 − ? − 16 = 16 − 16
  • 3 − ? = 0
  • Now, find the number that goes in the blank space. Remember, when a number is subtracted from itself, the difference is zero. The number in the blank space must be 3.
  • The missing number is 3.

📗 Which number makes the equation true?

10 − 3 =_____  + 1

  • First, subtract 10 − 3:
  • 10 − 3 = ? + 1
  • 7 = ? + 1
  • Decide which number makes the addition number sentence true. You can think of an addition fact you know, or you can subtract to find the answer.
  • The additional fact is:
  • 6 + 1 = 7
  • Do you remember this additional fact? If not, you can find the answer by subtracting.
  • Subtract:
  • 7 − 1 = 6
  • The missing number is 6.

📗 Which number makes the equation true?

12 − ____ = 4 + 8

  • First, add 4 + 8:
  • 12 − ? = 4 + 8
  • 12 − ? = 12
  • Subtract 12 from both sides:
  • 12 − ? − 12 = 12 − 12
  • 0 − ? = 0
  • Now, find the number that goes in the blank space. Remember, when a number is subtracted from itself, the difference is zero. The number in the blank space must be 0.
  • The missing number is 0.

Let’s practice!🖊️