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.
Ready for the interactive lab?
Practice choosing the right operators in Numeris with instant feedback.
Put the reasoning on paper.
Try six fraction, angle, perimeter and area questions with explained answers, for grades 4–6.
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