There has been a lot of research in math education that shows that one of the biggest problems for students is internalizing the idea of the equal symbol as a relational sign instead of an operational sign.

Sama is a card game that teaches players the meaning of equality in math.

We have all seen the equal operator ‘=’ used in math. Most of the time, we see it in problems that ask us to evaluate something, like 3 + 4 = ? or 23 - 10 = ?. This might make you think that when you see an ‘=’ you have to evaluate something.

That is not always the case!

‘=’ is a relationship operator that says that what is on the left of the sign is equal to what is on the right of the sign.

3 + 4 = 7 is correct. So is 3 + 4 = 14 - 7.

22 - 9 = 13 is correct. So is 22 - 9 = 10 + 3.

Can you make equal expressions with the cards in your hand? Who will reach the goal first?