K-5 friendly lesson
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Complete the Addition Sentence (Algebra!)

🧩 The Missing Piece! You know the start, you know the total. Now use backwards math to find what's missing in the middle!

Lesson 3

Concept

This is Algebra! But instead of the letter "X", it's just a blank space. šŸŽÆ **The "Opposite math" Rule:** **Problem: 325 + _____ = 850** If you have to add two numbers to get a total, then the difference between the Total and the Start is perfectly equal to the missing piece! 1. Take the Total (the biggest number): **850**. 2. **SUBTRACT** the piece you already know: **325**. 3. Do the math! (850 - 325). 8 5 0 - 3 2 5 --------- (Borrow from the 5, make 10. 10 - 5 = 5. Tens: 4-2=2. Hundreds: 8-3=5.) 4. **Answer: 525!** Let's check it! 325 + 525 = 850. It works perfectly.

Try it

Find the missing puzzle piece! **Instructions:** Take the Total, subtracting the piece you know! **Problem 1: 400 + _____ = 900** * Total: 900. Piece: 400. * Wait! Do you even need to stack this? Just use the dial! 9 - 4! * Answer: _____ **Problem 2: 152 + _____ = 684** * 684 - 152 = ? * Answer: _____ **Problem 3: _____ + 250 = 500** * Total: 500. Piece: 250. * Answer: _____ **Problem 4: 399 + _____ = 500** * (Hint: Just count up! What is 399 plus 1?) * Answer: _____