Equal Sign & True/False Equations | 1st Grade Math

Equal Sign and True/False Equations - Grade 1 Math
Grade 1 Math  ›  Addition & Subtraction  ›  Lesson 13
Grade 1 Math - Addition and Subtraction

Equal Sign and True/False Equations

Learn what the equal sign really means and decide whether addition and subtraction equations are true or false by comparing the value on each side.

This first grade math lesson shows that the equal sign means “the same value as,” not “the answer comes next.” Students practice equations with totals on either side and expressions on both sides.

Equal sign meaning True and false equations Addition equations Subtraction equations Grade 1 algebraic thinking

๐ŸŽฏ What You Will Learn

Understand the equal sign
Know that = means the value on one side is the same as the value on the other side.
Check both sides
Find the value of each side before deciding whether an equation is true or false.
Read equations in different forms
Understand equations such as 7 = 3 + 4 and 5 + 2 = 4 + 3.
Explain your reasoning
Tell why an equation is true or false using the values on both sides.
For parents & teachers — standards alignment: This lesson directly addresses CCSS 1.OA.D.7: students understand the meaning of the equal sign and determine whether addition and subtraction equations are true or false. It also aligns with Texas TEKS 1.5(E), which asks students to understand that expressions on each side of the equal sign represent the same value. Missing-number equations are intentionally saved for Lesson 14.

๐Ÿง  Key Vocabulary

equal sign (=) — means “has the same value as.”
equation — a mathematical statement that uses an equal sign to compare two expressions or values.
expression — numbers and operation signs that have a value, such as 4 + 3.
true equation — an equation whose two sides have the same value.
false equation — an equation whose two sides have different values.
left side / right side — the expressions or numbers on either side of the equal sign.

⚖️ The Equal Sign Means “The Same Value As”

The equal sign does not mean “write the answer next.” It tells us that the value on the left side is the same as the value on the right side.

3 + 4
=
7

The left side has value 7, and the right side also has value 7. That is why 3 + 4 = 7 is true.

Think of the equal sign like a balance: both sides must have the same value.

๐Ÿ”„ The Total Can Be on Either Side

An equation is still true when the total is written first. For example, 7 = 3 + 4 says exactly the same relationship as 3 + 4 = 7.

7 = 3 + 4 True
5 + 2 = 4 + 3 True

✅ How to Decide: True or False

1. Find the value of the left side.
2. Find the value of the right side.
3. Compare the two values.
6 = 8 − 2 Both sides are 6 → True
4 + 1 = 5 + 2 5 is not 7 → False
Common mistake: Do not decide that an equation is true just because it “looks normal.” Always check the value on both sides of the equal sign.

๐ŸŒŸ 25 Worked Examples

Try each equation first. Then open “Show solution” to check your reasoning.
1 Check a simple equation
Is 4 + 3 = 7 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

The left side is 4 + 3, which equals 7. The right side is 7. Both sides have the same value, so the equation is true.

2 The total can be on the left
Is 5 = 2 + 3 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

The left side is 5. The right side is 2 + 3, which also equals 5. The equal sign means the two sides have the same value, so the equation is true.

3 A number can equal itself
Is 6 = 6 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

Both sides show the same value, 6. Therefore 6 = 6 is true.

4 Check before deciding
Is 3 + 4 = 6 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

The left side is 3 + 4 = 7, but the right side is 6. Since 7 and 6 are not equal, the equation is false.

5 Compare both values
Is 8 = 5 + 2 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

The left side is 8. The right side is 5 + 2 = 7. Because 8 is not the same value as 7, the equation is false.

6 Same addends, different order
Is 5 + 2 = 2 + 5 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

The left side equals 7, and the right side also equals 7. Both sides have the same value, so the equation is true.

7 Expressions on both sides
Is 4 + 1 = 5 + 2 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

The left side equals 5. The right side equals 7. Since 5 is not equal to 7, the equation is false.

8 Use subtraction
Is 9 − 4 = 5 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

Nine minus 4 equals 5, and the right side is also 5. The equation is true.

9 Subtraction on the right
Is 6 = 8 − 2 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

The right side is 8 − 2 = 6. Both sides equal 6, so the equation is true.

10 Check a subtraction equation
Is 7 − 3 = 5 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

Seven minus 3 equals 4, not 5. The two sides do not have the same value, so the equation is false.

11 Addition and subtraction together
Is 4 + 4 = 10 − 2 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

The left side is 8. The right side is 10 − 2 = 8. Both sides equal 8, so the equation is true.

12 Compare two addition expressions
Is 6 + 3 = 5 + 4 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

The left side is 9. The right side is also 9. Therefore the equation is true.

13 Compare a difference and a sum
Is 10 − 4 = 3 + 3 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

Ten minus 4 equals 6, and 3 + 3 also equals 6. The equation is true.

14 Compare the two sides
Is 8 − 3 = 2 + 4 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

The left side is 5. The right side is 6. Since 5 is not equal to 6, the equation is false.

15 Read the equation both ways
Is 7 = 10 − 3 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

Ten minus 3 equals 7. The right side and the left side have the same value, so the equation is true.

16 Compare subtraction and addition
Is 12 − 5 = 4 + 3 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

Twelve minus 5 equals 7. Four plus 3 also equals 7. The equation is true.

17 Compare two expressions with 10
Is 9 + 1 = 5 + 5 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

Nine plus 1 equals 10. Five plus 5 also equals 10. Both sides match, so the equation is true.

18 Two different operations
Is 6 + 2 = 9 − 1 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

Six plus 2 equals 8. Nine minus 1 also equals 8. The equation is true.

19 Check a close-looking equation
Is 11 − 3 = 6 + 1 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

Eleven minus 3 equals 8. Six plus 1 equals 7. The values are different, so the equation is false.

20 Check another pair
Is 3 + 5 = 10 − 2 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

Three plus 5 equals 8. Ten minus 2 also equals 8. The equation is true.

21 Use a known double
Is 13 − 5 = 4 + 4 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

Thirteen minus 5 equals 8. Four plus 4 also equals 8. The equation is true.

22 Compare two different sums
Is 2 + 7 = 5 + 4 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

Two plus 7 equals 9, and 5 + 4 also equals 9. The equation is true.

23 Compare within 20
Is 15 − 6 = 4 + 5 true or false?
Show solution Hide solution

Fifteen minus 6 equals 9. Four plus 5 also equals 9. The equation is true.

24 What does the equal sign tell us?
Explain why 7 = 7 is a true equation.
Show solution Hide solution

The equal sign says the value on the left is the same as the value on the right. Both sides are 7, so the equation is true.

25 Challenge: explain your decision
Is 6 + 3 = 4 + 4 true or false? Explain.
Show solution Hide solution

Six plus 3 equals 9. Four plus 4 equals 8. Because 9 and 8 are not the same value, the equation is false.

๐ŸŽฎ Independent Practice — 30 Problems

  1. True or false: 3 + 2 = 5.
  2. True or false: 7 = 4 + 3.
  3. True or false: 6 + 1 = 8.
  4. True or false: 9 − 4 = 5.
  5. True or false: 10 = 6 + 4.
  6. True or false: 8 = 10 − 1.
  7. True or false: 4 + 4 = 5 + 3.
  8. True or false: 3 + 6 = 7 + 2.
  9. True or false: 5 + 2 = 9 − 1.
  10. True or false: 12 − 4 = 4 + 4.
  11. True or false: 11 − 5 = 2 + 3.
  12. True or false: 14 − 6 = 7 + 1.
  13. True or false: 13 − 4 = 5 + 5.
  14. True or false: 8 + 2 = 13 − 2.
  15. True or false: 15 − 7 = 6 + 2.
  16. Find the value of each side, then decide: 6 + 1 = 9 − 2.
  17. True or false: 7 = 7.
  18. True or false: 5 + 5 = 10.
  19. True or false: 10 = 5 + 4.
  20. True or false: 6 = 9 − 3.
  21. True or false: 2 + 4 = 3 + 3.
  22. True or false: 8 − 2 = 3 + 4.
  23. True or false: 9 − 3 = 7 − 1.
  24. True or false: 4 + 5 = 12 − 4.
  25. True or false: 16 − 7 = 4 + 5.
  26. True or false: 6 + 3 = 10 − 2.
  27. True or false: 13 − 5 = 3 + 5.
  28. True or false: 7 + 2 = 11 − 2.
  29. Write one true equation with 8 on the left side.
  30. Write one false equation using addition or subtraction.

๐Ÿ† Lesson Test — 15 Questions

  1. True or false: 4 + 2 = 6.
  2. True or false: 9 = 5 + 4.
  3. True or false: 7 = 3 + 3.
  4. True or false: 10 − 3 = 7.
  5. True or false: 8 = 11 − 2.
  6. True or false: 6 + 2 = 4 + 4.
  7. True or false: 5 + 3 = 9 − 1.
  8. True or false: 12 − 5 = 2 + 5.
  9. True or false: 14 − 6 = 3 + 4.
  10. True or false: 7 + 3 = 13 − 3.
  11. True or false: 10 = 12 − 2.
  12. True or false: 4 + 5 = 11 − 3.
  13. In your own words, what does the equal sign mean?
  14. Explain why 5 + 2 = 4 + 3 is true.
  15. Write one true equation with 9 on the left side.

๐Ÿ” Complete Answer Key

Show practice answer key Hide practice answer key

Practice Answers

1. True. Both sides equal 5.
2. True. 4 + 3 = 7.
3. False. 6 + 1 = 7, not 8.
4. True. 9 − 4 = 5.
5. True. 6 + 4 = 10.
6. False. 10 − 1 = 9, not 8.
7. True. Both sides equal 8.
8. True. Both sides equal 9.
9. False. The left side is 7 and the right side is 8.
10. True. Both sides equal 8.
11. False. 11 − 5 = 6, but 2 + 3 = 5.
12. True. Both sides equal 8.
13. False. 13 − 4 = 9, but 5 + 5 = 10.
14. False. 8 + 2 = 10, but 13 − 2 = 11.
15. True. Both sides equal 8.
16. Left side = 7; right side = 7; True.
17. True.
18. True.
19. False. 5 + 4 = 9, not 10.
20. True. 9 − 3 = 6.
21. True. Both sides equal 6.
22. False. 8 − 2 = 6, but 3 + 4 = 7.
23. True. Both sides equal 6.
24. False. 4 + 5 = 9, but 12 − 4 = 8.
25. True. Both sides equal 9.
26. False. The left side is 9 and the right side is 8.
27. True. Both sides equal 8.
28. True. Both sides equal 9.
29. Possible answer: 8 = 5 + 3.
30. Possible answer: 4 + 2 = 7.
Show test answer key Hide test answer key

Test Answers

1. True.
2. True.
3. False. 3 + 3 = 6, not 7.
4. True.
5. False. 11 − 2 = 9, not 8.
6. True. Both sides equal 8.
7. True. Both sides equal 8.
8. True. Both sides equal 7.
9. False. 14 − 6 = 8, but 3 + 4 = 7.
10. True. Both sides equal 10.
11. True.
12. False. 4 + 5 = 9, but 11 − 3 = 8.
13. It means the value on one side is the same as the value on the other side.
14. Because 5 + 2 = 7 and 4 + 3 = 7, so both sides have the same value.
15. Possible answer: 9 = 6 + 3.

๐Ÿ’ก Common Mistakes to Watch For

Thinking = means “the answer comes next”
The equal sign compares two values; it does not tell us where an answer must be written.
Looking at only one side
A true/false equation must be checked on both sides.
Rejecting an equation because the total is on the left
8 = 5 + 3 is a perfectly valid equation because both sides have value 8.
Assuming different-looking expressions cannot be equal
6 + 3 and 5 + 4 look different, but both have value 9.
Another important equal-sign mistake: do not use = to mean “and then.” For example, 4 + 2 = 6 + 3 = 9 is not a correct chain of equations, because 4 + 2 has value 6, while 6 + 3 has value 9.
Scope note: This lesson focuses on understanding equality and judging equations as true or false. The next lesson, Missing Numbers & Unknowns, will focus on finding a missing number in an equation.

๐Ÿ”— Related Lessons

Lesson 11 — Doubles, Near Doubles & Easier Facts Review useful known facts and addition relationships. Lesson 12 — Fact Families: Addition and Subtraction Review related addition and subtraction facts before working with equality.

๐Ÿ–จ️ Printable Companion

A future Equal Sign & True/False Equations Practice Pack can include equation sorting, balance models, true/false cards, error analysis, mixed practice, and a complete answer key.

← Lesson 12: Fact Families Grade 1 Math Hub Next: Missing Numbers & Unknowns →

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