Multiplication
Everyone needs to confirm a math answer sometimes. As we have seen in the Addition and Subtraction sections, yes/no questions ask for the confirmation of a math answer.
The equal sign (=) is the verb in all mathematical equations.
The verbs indicate what form the question takes.
The To Be Verb
The easiest way to say the equal sign (=) is with the verb “is”.
- is
Look at this simple equation:
2 × 3 = 6 “two times three is six”
On the right side of the equal sign, there is just one number (six). It is singular.
On the left side of the equal sign, there are two numbers (two times three). These numbers and multiplication sign are the operation.
It is a singular phrase. In math, 2 × 3 is a single idea. This idea is the subject of the sentence. In math, this subject is always singular.
Since the subject is singular, the verb must be in singular form, too. The “to be” form “is” refers to 3rd-person singular grammar. This is the grammar of basic equations in math. This is why we use “is” for the equal sign no matter how many numbers or operations are on a side.
Let’s look at the question forms.
How does English form a question with a “to be” verb when that verb is “is”?
Let’s begin with the Yes/No questions.
2 × 3 =6 “two times three is six”
“Two times three” is the subject. “Is” is the verb. They change places.
Is two times three six?
The answer can only be yes or no. This is called a Yes/No question.
Your Turn — Practice yes/no questions with “is” for the equal sign
The equal sign has a lot of phrases with “is“.
- is equal to
- is equivalent to
10 + 10 = 20
The equation is, “Ten plus ten is equal to twenty.”
The question is, “Is 10 plus 10 equal to 20?”
20 + 20 = 40
The equation is, “Twenty and twenty is equivalent to forty.”
The question is, “Is 20 and 20 equivalent to 40?”
Your Turn — Practice using the phrases “is equal to” and “is equivalent to” in yes/no multiplication questions
Now, let’s review the phrases with “is” and “same” in them.
- is the same as
- is the same amount as
- is the same value as
30 x 3 = 60
The equation is, “Thirty multiplied by three is the same as ninety.”
The question is, “Is 30 multiplied by 3 the same as 90?”
40 * 4 = 160
The equation is, “Forty times four is the same amount as a hundred sixty.”
The question is, “Is 40 times 4 the same amount as 160?”
50 • 5 = 250
The equation is, “Fifty times five is the same value as two hundred fifty.”
The question is, “Is 50 times 50 the same value as 250?”
Your Turn — Practice yes/no questions with “is” and “same” phrases
The Other (non-To Be) Verbs
What are the ways to say the equal sign without using the “to be” verb “is”?
4 + 7 = 11 can be said as, “four plus seven equals eleven” or “four and seven makes eleven”
Remember, the final -s at the end of both of the words “equal” and “make” used for the equal sign. Let’s with the “equals” verb first.
“equals”
How can we make a yes/no question with “equals”?
Let’s look at the equation.
4 × 7 = 11 “four plus seven equals eleven”
We must use the 3rd-person singular verb grammar rule to make a yes/no question. We begin the sentence with “does” and drop the final -s.
For example,
4 × 7 = 11 The question is, “does four times seven equal eleven”?
17 * 14 = 31 The question is, “does 17 times 14 equal 31?
Your Turn — Practice yes/no questions for “equals”
“makes”
The word makes for the equal sign also uses the final -s for the 3rd person singular verb form. The way to make a yes/no question for “makes” is the same as above for “equals”.
For example,
5 + 3 = 8 The question is, “does five plus three make eight”?
23 + 19 = 42 The question is, “does 23 and 19 equal 42?
Your Turn — Practice yes/no questions for “makes”
Summary
- The equal sign is the verb in mathematical equations
- If the equation sign is used with “is”, the question formation follows the “to be” grammar pattern.
- If the equation sign is said with a non-to be verb, the question formation follows the grammar pattern that uses “does”.
- Yes/No questions are used to confirm if an answer is correct.
