- Definition
Equivalence means that two things, even if they look different, have the same value or amount.
The expressions 3 × 4 and 6 + 6 are equivalent because they both have a value of 12.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Equivalence is like a balance scale when both sides hold different-looking things but are perfectly level because they have the same weight.
Ask your child: If 2 + 8 is on one side, what could be on the other equal side?
Common mix-up: Kids often think equivalence means two things look identical. The key idea is that they have the same value, even if they are written differently.
Examples
- The fractions 1/2 and 2/4 are equivalent because they represent the same amount of a whole.
- Having four quarters is equivalent to having one dollar.
equivalence is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
