Choosing the Right Operators (Grades 5–6)
In these puzzles the numbers are fixed and you choose the operations (+, −, ×, ÷) to make a true equation. Reasoning about size helps: to grow a number fast, multiply; to fine-tune, add or subtract. Sometimes more than one choice works — any that makes the equation true is correct.
Understanding choosing the right operators
In these puzzles the numbers are fixed and you choose the operations (+, −, ×, ÷) to make a true equation. Reasoning about size helps: to grow a number fast, multiply; to fine-tune, add or subtract. Sometimes more than one choice works — any that makes the equation true is correct.
Key Idea
In these puzzles the numbers are fixed and you choose the operations (+, −, ×, ÷) to make a true equation. Reasoning about size helps: to grow a number fast, multiply; to fine-tune, add or subtract. Sometimes more than one choice works — any that makes the equation true is correct.
Seeing it in action
Worked example
Fill the signs: 6 __ 2 __ 3 = 15.
Try ×, then +: 6 × 2 + 3 = 12 + 3 = 15. → 6 × 2 + 3 = 15.
Pick signs that make the equation true.
Try a few
8 __ 4 __ 2 = 6
5 __ 5 __ 5 = 20
3 __ 3 __ 3 = 27
Make the Target
A calm operations game for choosing operators, evaluating expressions, and placing brackets.
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Practice choosing the right operators in Numeris with instant feedback.
Master it in the workbook.
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