Virginia SOL 3.CE.1.d
The Standard
Identify and use the appropriate symbol to distinguish between expressions that are equal and expressions that are not equal (e.g., 256 - 13 = 220 + 23; 457 + 100 ≠ 557 + 100).
Virginia Standards of Learning for Mathematics · The student will estimate, represent, solve, and justify solutions to single-step and multistep problems, including those in context, using addition and subtraction with whole numbers where addends and minuends do not exceed 1,000.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students compare the values of two addition or subtraction expressions. They choose = when both sides have the same value and ≠ when the values differ. They justify the choice with calculations, models, or number reasoning.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student finds or reasons about the value on each side, even when both sides contain operations. The student places the correct symbol and explains the choice using calculations, models, or compensation.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may read = as “the answer comes next,” so an operation on the right seems wrong. They may compare the operation signs or first numbers instead of the values. Regrouping errors can make an equal pair appear unequal.
How to Assess It
- Give: 604 − 78 ___ 500 + 26 and 367 + 40 ___ 367 + 4. Students insert = or ≠ and show calculations for both choices.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Build each side of 325 + 40 and 300 + 65 with base-ten blocks, then place an = or ≠ card between them.
Write: “Are 348 + 25 and 350 + 23 equal?” Students defend their symbol choice with a calculation or compensation strategy.
Play Symbol Sort: students draw expression-pair cards, solve both sides, and place each card under = or ≠.
Give two store receipts with totals written as expressions; students decide whether the customers spent the same amount and choose a symbol.
Free download
Printable 3.CE.1.d Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.CE.1.d, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- 2.CE.1.j
Represent and justify the relationship between values and expressions as equal or not equal using appropriate models and/or symbols (e.g., 9 + 24 = 10 + 23; 45 ...
- 4.CE.2.d
Identify and use the appropriate symbol to distinguish between expressions that are equal and expressions that are not equal, using addition, subtraction, multi...
- 1.CE.1.j
Use concrete materials to model, identify, and justify when two expressions are not equal (e.g., 10 - 3 is not equal to 3 + 5).
- 2.CE.1.i
Describe the not equal symbol (≠) as representing a relationship where expressions on either side of the not equal symbol represent different values and justify...
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.