A Balancing Act

1
A Balancing Act
I am learning that the answer on the left of the
equals sign is the same as the answer on the
right of the equals sign.
4 3 2 5
means they balance.
2
Lets imagine a set of scales. Anita has 8
weights she can add to both sides.
She puts 3 weights on the left hand side and then
another 2.
She then puts 4 weights on the right hand side.
How many more weights must she add to the right
hand side to make it balance? 3 2 ? 4
1
3 2 1 4
3
Lets try an example with larger numbers where we
cant use scales.
103 24 105 ?
Option 1 Look for a pattern.
Remember that means balances. Whats on one
side of the equals sign must balance with whats
on the other.
Notice that 105 is 2 more than 103.
That means the missing number must be 2 less than
24.
22
Option 2 Add up one side.
We know that one side has 103 24 127
That means the other side must equal 127.
We already have 105 so. 105 ? 127
There are lots of different strategies you could
use to find this answer. 105 22 127
4
Now try these questions on your own.

1. 12 5 7 ?
2. 16 3 ? 18
3. 76 14 74 ?
4. 65 ? 69 14
5. 220 110 111 ?

10
Click again when you have completed each question
and the answer will be displayed.
1
16
18
219
Need some more practise? Try Pg54 of Teacher
Tools Addition and Subtraction Book Numeracy
resources