The same amount

Look at the seesaw. Teddy bears are sitting on both sides. The seesaw is perfectly level — neither side dips down. Why? Because there are the same number of teddies on both sides.

What "the same" means

The same means both groups have exactly the same amount. There isn't more on one side or less on the other. It's a fair share.

Look at the balloons. On the left there are four balloons — red, blue, green, yellow. On the right there are also four balloons, just in different colours. The colours differ, but the count is the same. Four equals four.

How we check it's the same

The surest way is pairing. Match items one to one:

• the first balloon on the left with the first on the right
• the second with the second
• and so on

If nobody is left without a partner, the amount is the same.

Words we use

When both groups have the same amount, we say:

• the same amount
• equal
• just as many

They all mean the same thing.

Tip — count!

Another way is counting. Count one group, then the other. If you got the same number, they're equal:

• left group: 4
• right group: 4
• 4 = 4 → the same!

Try it yourself

In the Compare numbers exercise, sometimes you need to click that the numbers are the same. That's exactly what this article is about.

The Compare balls exercise also has examples where both groups are equal — then you click that neither has more.

And if you'd like to compare numbers instead of objects, take a look at Comparing numbers.