In mathematics education, a number sentence is an equation or inequality expressed using numbers and mathematical symbols. The term is used in primary level mathematics teaching in the US,[1] Canada, UK,[2] Australia, New Zealand[3] and South Africa.[4]
Usage
editThe term is used as means of asking students to write down equations using simple mathematical symbols (numerals, the four main basic mathematical operators, equality symbol).[5] Sometimes boxes or shapes are used to indicate unknown values. As such, number sentences are used to introduce students to notions of structure and elementary algebra prior to a more formal treatment of these concepts.
A number sentence without unknowns is equivalent to a logical proposition expressed using the notation of arithmetic.
Examples
edit- A valid number sentence that is true: 83 + 19 = 102.
- A valid number sentence that is false: 1 + 1 = 3.
- A valid number sentence using a 'less than' symbol: 3 + 6 < 10.
- A valid number sentence using a 'more than' symbol: 3 + 9 > 11.
- An example from a lesson plan:[6]
Some students will use a direct computational approach. They will carry out the addition 26 + 39 = 65, put 65 = 26 + , and then find that = 39.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Show Me That Number Sentence
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-06-21.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-08-31. Retrieved 2007-06-21.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Mathematics Final
- ^ number sentence
- ^ Mathematics Continuum - Structure - Equivalence - Learning and Teaching Resources - Prep to Year 10 - Student Learning - Department of Education and Early Childhood Development