Definition
Number sentence
A number sentence is an equation or inequality written with numbers and mathematical symbols.
What it means
A number sentence says how two numerical expressions are related. The relation sign is the part that makes the statement complete. For example, 8 + 4 = 12 says both sides have the same value, and 8 + 4 < 20 says the left side has a smaller value. The expression 8 + 4 alone does not make a complete statement.
Remember it
Look for the relation sign—the part that tells what is true about the two sides.
Example
Decide whether 15 − 6 = 3 + 6 is true. The left side has value 9 and the right side has value 9, so the number sentence is true. The statement 15 − 6 = 8 would still be a number sentence, but it would be false.
Watch for
The expression 6 × 4 has a value, but it does not state a relationship, so it is not a number sentence.
Common mix-up
A false number sentence is still a number sentence; “sentence” describes its complete statement form, not whether it is correct.
Exact meaning
A number sentence is a complete mathematical statement, expressed with numerals and symbols, that uses a relation sign such as =, <, or >. Its truth can be checked, and a value may be left unknown.