Which Sign Makes the Number Sentence True?
šµļøāāļø Oh no! Someone stole the math signs! You have to look at the numbers and the answer to figure out if it was a PLUS or a MINUS.
Concept
These puzzles are completely missing their operation signs (+ or -)! You have to be a detective to put them back. šÆ **The Size Trick:** Look at the starting number and the answer. **Example: 12 ___ 4 = 16** 1. Start: 12. Answer: 16. 2. Did the number get BIGGER or SMALLER? 3. It got bigger! The only way to make a number bigger is to **ADD (+)**. 4. Let's test it: 12 + 4 = 16. It works! **Example: 15 ___ 5 = 10** 1. Start: 15. Answer: 10. 2. Did it get bigger or smaller? It got smaller! 3. The only way to make it smaller is to **SUBTRACT (-)**. 4. Let's test it: 15 - 5 = 10. It works!
Try it
Find the missing signs! **Instructions:** Did the number get bigger or smaller? Write a (+) or a (-) in the blank. **Problem 1:** 14 ___ 5 = 19 * Did 14 turn into a bigger or smaller number? * Sign: ___ **Problem 2:** 18 ___ 6 = 12 * Sign: ___ **Problem 3:** 8 ___ 8 = 16 * Sign: ___ **Problem 4:** 11 ___ 2 = 9 * Sign: ___ **Problem 5:** 20 ___ 0 = 20 * (Trick question! Both 20+0 and 20-0 equal 20! So either sign is right!) **Problem 6:** 7 ___ 5 = 12