Balance Scale Equations Worksheet
Addition Lab • Sums to 10
Balance Scale Equations
Name:
Date:
The Rule of the Equal Sign (=)
The equal sign is like a balance scale. Both sides must have the exact same total amount to stay level!
Example: 3 + 2 = 1 + 4
(5 on left = 5 on right)
1
Count the Dots & Balance the Scale
Count both trays. Write the missing number to make both sides equal.
=
4 + 2 = 3 +
Total on both sides = 6
=
5 + 1 = 2 +
Total on both sides = 6
2
Balance the Scales within 10
Find the missing addend so both sides equal the same total.
Left: 3 + 4 = Right: 2 + ?
7 dots
=
2 + ?
3 + 4 = 2 +
Left: 2 + 6 = Right: ? + 4
8 dots
=
? + 4
2 + 6 =
+ 4
Left: 5 + 4 = Right: 6 + ?
9 dots
=
6 + ?
5 + 4 = 6 +
Self-Check Tip: Add up the side with both numbers first! Then find how many more you need to make the other side match.
Page 1 of 2
Ten-Frame Mastery
Ten-Frame Equation Balancer
Name:
3
Draw the Missing Dots in the Ten-Frame
Draw dots to make the right ten-frame match the left side. Then complete the equation!
Left Frame: 4 + 1
=
Right Frame: 2 + ?
4 + 1 = 2 +
Left Frame: 5 + 3
=
Right Frame: 4 + ?
5 + 3 = 4 +
Left Frame: 7 + 3
=
Right Frame: 5 + ?
7 + 3 = 5 +
Left Frame: 2 + 5
=
Right Frame: ? + 1
2 + 5 =
+ 1
4
Balanced or Not?
Check both sides. Fill in the circle for Balanced or Not Balanced.
3 + 3 = 4 + 2
Side totals: ___ and ___
Balanced
Not Equal
5 + 2 = 4 + 4
Side totals: ___ and ___
Balanced
Not Equal
6 + 1 = 2 + 5
Side totals: ___ and ___
Balanced
Not Equal
★
Scale Master: Build Your Own Balanced Equation!
Choose a target total between 4 and 10. Draw dots in each pan to show two different ways to make your number, then write the equation!
Left Tray (Draw Dots)
=
Balanced
Right Tray (Draw Dots)
My Equation:
=
Balance Scale Equations Answer Key
Teacher Answer Key Grade 1 - 2
Balance Scale Equations • Solutions
Quick Check Edition
Standard: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.D.7
Key Conceptual Goal
Ensure students understand that = signifies equivalence (same total on both sides) rather than an operational command to "calculate now". Watch for students who mistakenly write the sum of the first two numbers (e.g. writing 6 in \(4+2=3+\Box\)).
1
Count the Dots & Balance the Scale (Solutions)
Target: 6
=
4 + 2 = 3 +
3
Left = 6 | Right = 3 + 3 = 6 ✓
Target: 6
=
5 + 1 = 2 +
4
Left = 6 | Right = 2 + 4 = 6 ✓
2
Balance the Scales within 10 (Solutions)
Target = 7 Solved
3 + 4 = 7
=
2 + 5 = 7
3 + 4 = 2 +
5
Common error: 7 (summing 3+4)
Target = 8 Solved
2 + 6 = 8
=
4 + 4 = 8
2 + 6 =
4
+ 4
Double fact: 4 + 4 = 8
Target = 9 Solved
5 + 4 = 9
=
6 + 3 = 9
5 + 4 = 6 +
3
Count on from 6: 7, 8, 9 (+3)
Teacher Check: If a student writes 6 in problem 1 or 7 in problem 3, ask: "If you put 7 there, what would the whole right side equal? (2 + 7 = 9). Would the scale balance?"
Page 1 Key
Teacher Answer Key Page 2 Solutions
Ten-Frame Solutions & True/False
Mastery Solutions
3
Ten-Frame Completed Models
Green dots indicate student additions
Left: 4 + 1 (5 total)
=
Right: 2 + 3 dots
4 + 1 = 2 +
3
Left: 5 + 3 (8 total)
=
Right: 4 + 4 dots
5 + 3 = 4 +
4
Left: 7 + 3 (10 total)
=
Right: 5 + 5 dots
7 + 3 = 5 +
5
Left: 2 + 5 (7 total)
=
Right: 6 dots + 1
2 + 5 =
6
+ 1
4
Balanced or Not? (Key)
