Equality and Inequality

Strand: Patterns and Relations
Outcomes: 4, 5

Step 1: Identify Outcomes to Address

Guiding Questions

What do I want my students to learn?
What can my students currently understand and do?
What do I want my students to understand and be able to do, based on the Big Ideas and specific outcomes in the program of studies?

See Sequence of Outcomes from the Program of Studies

Strand: Patterns and Relations

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Specific Outcomes
4.	Describe equality as a balance and inequality as an imbalance, concretely and pictorially (0 to 20).
5.	Record equalities, using the equal symbol.

Specific Outcomes
4.	Demonstrate and explain the meaning of equality and inequality, concretely and pictorially.
5.	Record equalities and inequalities symbolically, using the equal symbol or the not equal symbol.

Specific Outcomes
4.	Solve one-step addition and subtraction equations involving a symbol to represent an unknown number.

Big Ideas

Mathematics is often referred to as the science of patterns. Patterns permeate every aspect of mathematics. The brain is a pattern seeker, so the development of the students' ability to recognize, analyze and generally become proficient pattern seekers will not only pave the way for their success in mathematics, but in all learning.

Numbers can have an infinite number of names or expressions that represent them. For example, 5 can be referred to as 4 + 1, 10 – 5, 3 + 2, 100 – 95, and many other names.
Various expressions can be compared and found equal or unequal, the former are called equalities and the latter inequalities.
The equal sign refers to a relationship: "the same as." It does not mean that the answer is coming or to take some action.
Putting a line through the equal sign, like this ≠, means the expressions on either side are unequal or that the relationship is an inequality.
A balance scale will show both sides at the same level if the quantities on both sides are of equal value or mass. If the quantities are unequal, the greater or heavier side will be lower than the lesser or lighter side.