What the = in an equation means

An equation is any mathematical expression which contains an equals sign. The equals sign simply means that the expression to the left of the sign equals, that is the same as, the expression on the right hand side of the sign. Equations can be imagined as a balance. The value of the expression in the pan on one side of the balance is the same as the value of the expression in the pan on the other side of the balance. This has an important implication, to wit if a change is made to the value of the expression in the left hand pan of the balance, and if a change of similar value is made to the expression in the right hand pan, then the two pans will continue to balance each other. This way of thinking about the nature of an equation was common 35 years ago, but is surprisingly often absent in the minds of children today. Today children tend to think of the equals as a magical operator that provides an answer to a calculation, which is accomplished by pressing the “=” button on their calculator. This way of thinking robs them of an important insight into the nature of the calculation they are performing. Puppet maths presents the balance model of the equation in an entertaining way, so that pupils have this tool to use in their maths.