Stories and Number Sentences
- Number Sentence
A number sentence uses numbers and signs. 8 + 5 = 13 is a number sentence. A box shows a number to find.
We can tell a story for a number sentence.
The first number is how many we start with.
A plus sign can mean some more come.
A minus sign can mean some go away.
The last number is how many at the end.
The first number is 8. So the story starts with 8. There are 8 fish in a tank.
The plus sign means more come. Then 5 more fish come.
The 13 is how many at the end. Now there are 13 fish.
8 + 5 = 13
A story can help us fill in a box too. Tell the story. Then find what goes in the box. This is how we solve the story.
The story starts with 12. Mia has 12 apples.
The minus sign means some go away. She gives away 5 apples.
The box is the question. How many apples does Mia have now? We count the ones that are left. There are seven. So 12 − 5 = 7. Mia has seven apples now.
12 − 5 = 7