Grade
2

How Many Are Hidden? Beetles

The number of beetles in both pictures is the same. How many are hidden behind the plant? How do you know? How can you finish the equation to make it true?

The picture on the left shows 9 blue beetles and 4 red beetles. The picture on the right shows 10 blue beetles and a plant with a red question mark. The equation is blue 9 + red 4 = blue 10 + red blank.

Look at the numbers. What do you notice about how they changed?

In the equation blue 9 + red 4 = blue 10 + red blank, the 9 changed to 10. How does the 4 change when this equation is true?
  • Now there are more than 13 beetles. How many might be hidden behind each plant? How do you know?
  • Complete the equation to make it true. What do you notice about how the numbers changed?
The picture on the left shows a plant with a blue question mark and 12 red beetles. The picture on the right shows a plant with a blue question mark and 10 red beetles. The equation is blue blank + red 12 = blue blank + red 10.
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