Balance Addition Equations - within 20

Consider the equation:

5 + 2 = __ + 6

Let's identify the missing number that makes the equation true.

To find the missing number, first we need to add 5 + 2:
 

5 + 2    =     ? + 6
 

7          =     ? + 6
 

Now, let’s look for the number which when added to 6 gives 7.
 

6 + 1 = 7
 

5 + 2 = 1 + 6
 

So, the missing number is 1.