Overview

Equivalence is a big idea in many areas of mathematics. Whether one is working with numbers and operations and place value, studying geometric ideas, or doing algebra, the idea of equivalence plays an important role. Developing understanding of equivalence supports teaching and learning across grade levels. Knowing how to use equivalence positions students to strategically manipulate ideas to make them more manageable, elegant, and situationally appropriate.

This part provides an opportunity to explore possible instances of equivalence in mathematics.

Key Point

In mathematics, the word “equivalent” is used to refer to things that are considered to be “the same” because they share all features of interest. Notice that equivalent things do not need to literally be the same.