What Does It Mean to Complete an Addition Sentence?
Addition sentences are like math puzzles!
Sometimes one of the numbers is missing, and your job is to figure out what number makes the equation true. It's like being a math detective!
How to Solve Missing Number Problems
1️⃣ Look at the numbers you know - What are you adding together?
2️⃣ Count up from the first number - Use your fingers or draw dots to help
3️⃣ Check your answer - Does it make the equation correct?
Let's Practice Together!
Example 1: The Hungry Caterpillar
A caterpillar ate 3 leaves in the morning and some more in the afternoon. By the end of the day, he had eaten 7 leaves total. How many leaves did he eat in the afternoon?
3 + = 7
Example 2: Toy Cars
Sarah has some toy cars. Her brother gave her 2 more cars. Now she has 6 cars. How many cars did Sarah have at the beginning?
+ 2 = 6
Parent Tips 🌟
- Use real objects like buttons or cereal pieces to make the problems hands-on and concrete
- Make it a game - Create flashcards with missing numbers and time how fast they can solve them
- Relate to daily life - Ask questions like "If you have 2 apples and I give you some more to make 5, how many did I give you?"