Wet homework

Wet homework

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about filling in missing numbers or signs to make number sentences true.

Peter spilt water on his maths homework. Help him fix it up by finishing each equation below.

a) Write in the missing number on each drop of water.
 
i)
 
 + 6 = 6 ii)
× 9 = 9
iii)
11  + = 11
 iv)
12 × = 12
 
b) Write in the missing sign (+ or ×) on each drop of water.
 
i)
 
7  0 = 7
 
 ii)
5  1 = 5
 
iii)
1   10 = 10
 iv)
0   3 = 3
Task administration: 
This task is completed with pencil and paper only.
Level:
2
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Number and Algebra, Equations and expressions
Keywords: 
properties of zero, properties of one, addition, identity, inverse, multiplication
Description of task: 
Students show their understanding of the properties of zero and one, by filling in the missing numbers or signs (+ or ×) in a range of equations.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Using symbols and expressions to think mathematically, set 3
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
  Y4 (11/2000)
a) i)
ii)
iii)
iv)		 0
1
0
1		 easy
b) i)
ii)
iii)
iv)		 +
×
×
+		 easy

For further information on the ideas surrounding the additive identity, refer to the Algebraic thinking concept map.

NEMP
Report 9: Mathematics 1997.  Addition facts, p. 14.  The results from this question imply that students had difficulty with addition problems that were presented with the 0 first.  A focus on adding numbers to zero is suggested.
Report 37: Mathematics 2005. Number Helper, p.15, Questions 4 + 5. Just over 50% of Year 4 students were able to identify 0 as the number you can add or take away from 8 and 8 will stay the same.