E is for Equals

You will likely recognise this symbol  but do you actually know what it means and its function in maths.

Initially this symbol is used to represent ‘and therefore the answer is’.

For example,   

However as maths becomes more complicated, so does the meaning and function of this symbol.

Equals becomes to represent that one side of an equation is equal to another side. For example:

12+3=21-6

This then continues to understanding that what we do to one side, we must also do to the other side, in order for them to remain equal to one another. For example:

5x+3=23

5x=20

x=4

Where the use of an equals sign becomes problematic is when it is used incorrectly and is used as part of a continuous calculation.

For example: 4 x 5 +3

4 x 5 = 20 + 3 = 23

Now you might not think that this is an issue as the answer is correct. However the impact of this is later on down line when the symbol is used in more complex calculations or even if you just change the calculation slightly.

For example: 3-4 x 5

4 x 5 = 20 – 3= 17

The answer should be -17. It is important to teach pupils both the correct order of doing calculations (I won’t wade into the debate of BIDMAS and all its pitfalls) but also that a new calculation requires a new line.

So although the equals symbol starts off as a simple concept as our knowledge develops so does the use of the symbol. There are two simple things we can do to support a child’s understanding and use of this symbol. Firstly, in the early years use scales to help the understanding of how the equals sign works and secondly encourage children and young people to start a new line for all calculations.