Equals Sign

So now that we know that there is a significant problem with how our students view the equals sign, how do we implement the suggestions put forth in Part 1 of this blog? How do we get students to understand that the equals sign means a relation between values on either side of the equals sign?

Pop quiz: True or false? 1=1. You’re probably thinking, “Of course it’s true! Obviously 1 equals 1!” Is it really obvious, though?

Have you ever noticed that the = button on a calculator means something different than how we use = on paper? Unfortunately, our elementary students tend to view the equals sign just as if they were pressing the enter button on a calculator.

Despite the importance of = as a relational operator in mathematics that is used at all levels K–20 (and beyond), many elementary, secondary, and even post-secondary mathematics students have a limited understanding of the intended meaning of that symbol in mathematics.