How can you tell they’ve got it: What the equals sign means?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Explain that 6 = 6 is true because both sides are the same; Determine that 4 + 1 = 5 + 2 is false; Understand that = does not mean 'the answer comes next' — it means balance. Or just try it together: Does your child understand that '=' means 'the same as', so they can tell you whether '4 + 3 = 8 − 1' is true or false?

Mathematics Addition & Subtraction Ages 6–7

What the equals sign means

Your child knows the equals sign means 'the same as', not 'the answer comes next'. They can tell if 4 + 3 = 8 − 1 is true or false.

In curriculum terms

Understand the meaning of the equal sign as 'is the same as' and determine if equations are true or false

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Explain that 6 = 6 is true because both sides are the same
Determine that 4 + 1 = 5 + 2 is false
Understand that = does not mean 'the answer comes next' — it means balance

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Try this together

Does your child understand that '=' means 'the same as', so they can tell you whether '4 + 3 = 8 − 1' is true or false?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Reading +, −, and = symbolsages 5–6Deep understanding of = requires already being able to read and write number sentences

What the equals sign meansthis skill · ages 6–7

Unlocks

Unknown in Addition & Subtractionages 6–7Finding unknowns in equations requires understanding what = means

Explaining Mathematical Reasoningages 6–7Determining whether equations are true/false exercises evaluating and justifying

Precise Maths Communicationages 6–7Understanding = as 'is the same as' is core to precise symbol use

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill sits outside the F–6 Australian Curriculum — no candidate code matched (v0.1). No NSW K–6 outcome code matched (v0.1). No Victorian Curriculum 2.0 code matched (v0.1).

Nearby on the map

Adding and subtracting tens mentallyages 6–7 Adding Three Small Numbersages 6–7 Adding two two-digit numbersages 6–7 Adding within 100ages 6–7

All Addition & Subtraction skills →