True or False? Number Sentences and Patterns

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What this lesson covers

  • > means greater than, < means less than, and = means the same amount as.
  • A number sentence can be true or false.
  • The two sides of an equals sign are worth the same.
  • A growing pattern changes by the same rule each time.
Key idea

Greater than, less than, equals

  • The open side of the sign faces the bigger number.
SignMeansExample
>greater than52 > 25
<less than313 < 330
=the same amount as400 = 400
Worked example

True or false?

  • Work out each side, then check the sign.
Number sentenceTrue or false?Why
313 < 330True1 ten is less than 3 tens
708 > 780False0 tens is less than 8 tens
12 ÷ 3 = 5 − 2False12 ÷ 3 = 4, but 5 − 2 = 3
4 × 5 = 10 + 10Trueboth sides are 20
Key idea

Try it: true or false?

Key idea

Equals means balance

  • = does not mean "the answer comes next".
  • It means the left side and the right side are worth the same.
  • 3 + 7 = 5 + 5 is true. Both sides are 10.
Worked example

Find the missing number

  • 217 − __ = 105. Think: 105 + __ = 217.
  • 105 + 112 = 217, so the missing number is 112.
Number sentenceMissing number
217 − __ = 105112
__ + 45 = 10055
6 × __ = 244
30 ÷ __ = 103
8 + 4 = __ + 75
Key idea

Growing patterns

  • 4, 7, 10, 13. The rule is add 3. Next come 16 and 19.
  • 50, 45, 40, 35. The rule is take away 5. Next comes 30.
  • Shapes can grow too: 2 squares, 4 squares, 6 squares. The rule is add 2.
Key idea

Try it: grow the pattern

Worked example

Make your own pattern

  • Pick a start number and a rule.
  • Start at 5, add 4: 5, 9, 13, 17, 21.
  • Start at 100, take away 10: 100, 90, 80, 70.

Common mistakes

  • 8 + 4 = __ + 7, so the missing number is 12.
    Both sides must be worth the same. 8 + 4 = 12 and 5 + 7 = 12, so it is 5.
  • 313 > 330 because 313 ends in a bigger digit.
    Compare the tens first. 1 ten is less than 3 tens, so 313 < 330.
  • The next number in 2, 4, 6, 8 is 9.
    The rule is add 2, so the next number is 10.
  • The < sign opens towards the smaller number.
    The open side faces the bigger number. The point faces the smaller one.

Your turn

1

Which is true: 456 < 465, 456 > 465, 465 < 456 or 456 = 465?

2

350 − __ = 120

3

Is 20 ÷ 4 = 2 + 3 true or false?

4

What comes next: 6, 10, 14, 18, __

5

9 + 6 = __ + 10

Show answer

1. 456 < 465 2. 230 3. True: 20 ÷ 4 = 5 and 2 + 3 = 5, so both sides are 5 4. 22 (the rule is add 4) 5. 5 (both sides are 15)

Summary

What to take away

  • Check both sides of a number sentence.
  • Equals means both sides are worth the same.
  • Find the rule to continue a pattern.
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