The idea, step by step
Equal means the same amount
Groups are equal when each has the same number of objects. Three bags with 4 shells in every bag are 3 equal groups of 4. Count the bags and the shells in one bag separately.
Count groups to find the total
Join the equal amounts by skip-counting or repeated addition. For 3 groups of 4, say 4, 8, 12. The total is 12 shells. If one bag has a different number, it is not the same equal-groups model.
A common trap
Saying 3 groups of 4 has 7 objects because 3 + 4 = 7.
Instead: The 3 counts groups, not extra objects. Each group contributes 4: 4 + 4 + 4 = 12.
See the thinking
Read groups
How many counters are in these groups?
- There are 3 boxes and 4 counters in each.
- Add 4 + 4 + 4 = 12.
Build equal groups
Make 4 equal groups with 2 buttons in each. How many buttons are needed?
- Each group needs 2 buttons.
- Count 2, 4, 6, 8 for the 4 groups.
Check your understanding
There are 5 pairs of socks. How many socks?
Show answer
10 socks.
Each pair has 2, so count 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- There are 3 plates with 2 apples on each. How many apples?
- There are 4 cups with 3 pencils in each. How many pencils?
- One box has 4 blocks and another has 5. Are the groups equal?
- Draw 2 equal groups with 5 dots in each. How many dots altogether?
- There are 6 children. Each needs 2 tickets. How many tickets are needed?
- Luca has 3 groups of 4 beads. Ava has 4 groups of 3 beads. Do they have the same total?
Read the worked solutions
- There are 3 plates with 2 apples on each. How many apples?
2 + 2 + 2 = 6.
6 apples. - There are 4 cups with 3 pencils in each. How many pencils?
3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12.
12 pencils. - One box has 4 blocks and another has 5. Are the groups equal?
4 and 5 are different amounts.
No. - Draw 2 equal groups with 5 dots in each. How many dots altogether?
5 + 5 = 10.
10 dots, shown as two groups of five. - There are 6 children. Each needs 2 tickets. How many tickets are needed?
Count 2 six times: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12.
12 tickets. - Luca has 3 groups of 4 beads. Ava has 4 groups of 3 beads. Do they have the same total?
4 + 4 + 4 = 12 and 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12.
Yes, both have 12 beads.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Equal groups; arrays; repeated addition; sharing/grouping; twos facts; doubling and halving.
Official curriculum source ↗