For me it helped to just be really explicit with it:
X + 2 = 3
X + 2 - 2 = 3 - 2
X + 0 = 1
X = 1
That basically unlocked it for me. I was older than 9 though :). For division I'd probably just say that you actually have (1/5)5A = (5/5)A = 1A, but that probably necessitates symbolic juggling to be something you already have as a skill.
Anyway, symbolic manipulation is interesting, even without letters.
For me it helped to just be really explicit with it:
X + 2 = 3 X + 2 - 2 = 3 - 2 X + 0 = 1 X = 1
That basically unlocked it for me. I was older than 9 though :). For division I'd probably just say that you actually have (1/5)5A = (5/5)A = 1A, but that probably necessitates symbolic juggling to be something you already have as a skill.
Anyway, symbolic manipulation is interesting, even without letters.