inverse operations problem solving year 3

Filter year:

Inverse Operations Homework

Allow children to practise the skills of using inverse to check answers with this Year 3 Inverse Operations worksheet. We've created 3 inverses with addition and subtraction questions for children to explore this skill and make further connections within their work. There are two scaffolded varied fluency questions and a reasoning question for children to get their teeth into.

Use this worksheet as an extension activity within your lesson or why not send this home as your weekly homework activity. There's a handy answer sheet provided to cut down marking time or give this to the children to encourage peer or self marking.

Curriculum Objectives

• Estimate the answer to a calculation and use inverse operations to check answers

Addition and Subtraction

More like this

More Y3 resources

High Impact Tutoring Built By Math Experts

Personalized standards-aligned one-on-one math tutoring for schools and districts

In order to access this I need to be confident with:

Inverse operations

Here you will learn about inverse operations, including what an inverse operation is and how to use inverse operations to solve one and two-step equations.

Students will first learn about inverse operations as a part of operations and algebraic thinking in 3 rd grade and will expand on their knowledge with negative numbers in 6 th grade.

What are inverse operations?

Inverse operations are operations which reverse or “undo” another operation. They are also sometimes referred to as ‘opposite operations’.

The four math operations are addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Addition and subtraction are inverse operations.

For example,

Multiplication and division are inverse operations

[FREE] Arithmetic Worksheet (Grade 4 to 6)

Use this quiz to check your grade 4 to 6 students’ understanding of arithmetic. 10+ questions with answers covering a range of 4th, 5th and 6th grade arithmetic topics to identify areas of strength and support!

Solving equations with inverse operations

You can use inverse operations to find the unknown number in one and two-step math equations.

You can find the unknown number to make the following equation, 56+x=174, true by subtracting.

Note: You can solve inequalities and linear equations using inverse operations similarly to how you can solve equations.

See also: Inequalities

See also: Linear equations

Inverse operations and negative numbers

Using inverse operations with negative numbers works similarly to using inverse operations with positive numbers. However, you will need to pay special attention to the signs.

Negative numbers are values that are less than zero.

Adding a negative number is the same as subtracting its positive value, and vice versa.

3+(- \, 5) is the same as 3-5, which equals 2.

Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive value.

3-(- \, 3) is the same as 3+3, which equals 6.

Multiplying a number by a negative number changes its sign.

4 \times- \, 5=- \, 20 because multiplying a positive by a negative results in a negative product.

Common Core State Standards

How does this relate to 3 rd grade and 6 th grade math?

• Grade 3: Operations and Algebraic Thinking (3.OA.A.4) Determine the unknown whole number in a multiplication or division equation relating three whole numbers. For example, determine the unknown number that makes the equation true in each of the equations 8 \, \times \, ? = 48, 5 = \, ? \, \div 3, 6 \times 6 = \, ?.
• Grade 3: Operations and Algebraic Thinking (3.OA.C.7) Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division (e.g., knowing that 8 \times 5=40, one knows 40 \div 5=8 ) or properties of operations. By the end of Grade 3, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers.
• Grade 6: The Number System (6.NS.C.5) Understand that positive and negative numbers are used together to describe quantities having opposite directions or values (e.g., temperature above/below zero, elevation above/below sea level, credits/debits, positive/negative electric charge); use positive and negative numbers to represent quantities in real-world contexts, explaining the meaning of 0 in each situation.
• Grade 6: Expressions and Equations (6.EE.B.7) Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form x+p=q and p x=q for cases in which p, q and x are all nonnegative rational numbers.

How to find the unknown number using inverse operations

In order to find the unknown number using inverse operations:

Identify the operation(s) being applied in the equation.

• Apply the inverse operation(s) and solve .

Inverse operations examples

Example 1: one-step equation.

Solve for the variable using inverse operations.

The variable has 5 added to it.

2 Apply the inverse operation(s) and solve.

The inverse operation of addition is subtraction, so subtract 5 from both sides of the equation.

Example 2: one-step equation

The variable is being multiplied by 4.

Apply the inverse operation(s) and solve.

The inverse operation of multiplication is division, so divide both sides of the equation by 4.

Example 3: one-step equation

The variable is being divided by 3.

The inverse operation of division is multiplication, so multiply both sides of the equation by 3.

Example 4: two-step equation

Solve for y using inverse operations.

The variable x is being multiplied by 5, then 7 is being added to the result.

Because there are more than one operation present, apply the inverse operations in reverse order.

The last operation performed was adding 7, so the first inverse operation will be to subtract 7 from both sides of the equation.

The first operation performed was multiplying by 5, so the next inverse operation will be to divide both sides of the equation by 5.

Example 5: two-step equation

Solve for x using inverse operations.

The variable y is subtracted by 2, then the result is multiplied by three.

Because there are more than one operation present, you will apply the inverse operations in reverse order.

The last operation is multiplication by 3, so the first inverse operation will be to divide by 3.

The operation before multiplication was subtraction, so the next inverse operation will be adding 2.

Example 6: two-step equation

The first operation present is multiplying 4 by x, then subtract 3 from the result.

Because there are more than one operation present, we will apply the inverse operations in reverse order.

The last operation performed is subtraction of 3, so the first inverse operation will be addition of 3 to both sides of the equation.

The first operation performed was multiplication of 4, so the next inverse operation will be division of 4 from both sides of the equation.

Teaching tips for inverse operations

• When creating lesson plans, be sure to include visual aids, such as number lines, to help students visualize the inverse operations.
• Provide examples of inverse operations when solving one- and two-step word problems, so that students have examples to refer back to when needed.
• Connect inverse operations to a topic students are already familiar with, like fact families. This will allow them to connect something they know with the new information they are learning.
• Provide students with practice, whether worksheets or other methods, with gradual complexity. This will allow students to become more comfortable with the concept, and feel confident moving to more difficult problems.

Easy mistakes to make

• Confusing the inverse operations Students may be confused about what the inverse operation is when first learning. They may think because multiplication and addition are so closely related, that they are inverse operations. Provide students a ‘cheat sheet’ to refer to when needed.
• Forgetting to use the inverse operation on both sides of the equation When students begin using inverse operations to solve equations, it’s important to reinforce that what is done on one side of the equation must also be done on the other side of the equation.
• Incorrectly following the order of operations Students may believe that they are to follow the order of operations when applying the inverse operation to an equation. Students should remember that they are to reverse the order of operations as they are solving these equations for variables.

Related arithmetic lessons

• Skip counting
• Number sense
• Two-step word problems
• Money word problems
• Calculator skills

Practice inverse operations questions

1. Solve for the variable using inverse operations.

Apply the inverse of addition to both sides of the equation.

2. Solve for the variable using inverse operations.

Apply the inverse of division to both sides of the equation.

3. Solve for the variable using inverse operations.

Apply the inverse of subtraction to both sides of the equation.

4. Solve for the variable using inverse operations.

Apply the inverse operations in reverse order, with the inverse of addition (subtraction) first, and then the inverse of multiplication (division) second.

5. Solve for the variable using inverse operations.

Apply the inverse operations in reverse order, with the inverse of subtraction (addition) first, and then the inverse of multiplication (division) second.

6. Solve for the variable using inverse operations.

Inverse operations FAQs

The inverse function of a function f is a function that reverses the operation of f.

The multiplicative inverse of a number is another number which, when multiplied with the original number, yields the product of 1. This is also commonly referred to as the reciprocal.

The additive inverse of a number is another number which, when added to the original number yields a sum of zero. The additive inverse is the negative of the original number.

The next lessons are

• Properties of equality
• Addition and subtraction
• Multiplication and division
• Trigonometry

Still stuck?

At Third Space Learning, we specialize in helping teachers and school leaders to provide personalized math support for more of their students through high-quality, online one-on-one math tutoring delivered by subject experts.

Each week, our tutors support thousands of students who are at risk of not meeting their grade-level expectations, and help accelerate their progress and boost their confidence.

Find out how we can help your students achieve success with our math tutoring programs .

[FREE] Common Core Practice Tests (3rd to 8th Grade)

Prepare for math tests in your state with these 3rd Grade to 8th Grade practice assessments for Common Core and state equivalents.

Get your 6 multiple choice practice tests with detailed answers to support test prep, created by US math teachers for US math teachers!

Privacy Overview