🎧 Listen to today’s story
📚 Key Words
| Word | Meaning | 中文 |
|---|---|---|
| symbol | A sign or mark that means something. | 符号 |
| equation | A math sentence where both sides are the same. | 等式 |
| equal | Being the same in size, number, or value. | 相等的 |
| invent | To make or design something for the first time. | 发明 |
| straight | Not having any curves or bends. | 直的 |
| length | How long something is from one end to the other. | 长度 |
| solve | To find the answer to a question or problem. | 解决 |
| idea | A thought, plan, or suggestion. | 想法 |
📖 Read the story
Do you like math? In math class, we use many symbols. One of the most important symbols is the equal sign (=). An equation is like a math sentence. For example, 2 + 2 = 4. This means both sides have the same value. A long time ago, people did not have math signs. They wrote every problem with long words. This was very slow and difficult. In 1557, a man named Robert Recorde had a smart idea. He wanted a sign to show that things were equal. He chose two straight lines of the same length. He said that nothing is more equal than two straight lines. Because of his invention, math became much faster. Now, students all over the world use his sign every day. It helps us solve problems and understand numbers easily. Do you think math is easier with symbols or words?
✏️ Answer the questions
1. What is an equation?
- A.A type of book
- B.A math sentence
- C.A long word
- D.A school student
2. How did people write math problems in the past?
- A.They used computers
- B.They used many symbols
- C.They used long words
- D.They did not do math
3. Who invented the equal sign?
- A.Robert Recorde
- B.A math student
- C.A famous king
- D.Nobody knows
4. Why did the inventor choose two straight lines?
- A.Because they were easy to draw
- B.Because they are perfectly equal
- C.Because he liked the number two
- D.Because he had no other ideas
5. When was the equal sign invented?
- A.In 2026
- B.Last year
- C.In 1557
- D.Two weeks ago