6th Grade · Expressions & Equations
Inverse Operation
6.EE.B.7
Definition
An operation that undoes another, such as addition and subtraction, used to solve equations.
Teach it
Where it is taught, with guided notes, practice, homework, an exit ticket and an interactive Teacher Deck.
Examples
- Undo +5 by subtracting 5 from both sides: x + 5 = 12 → x = 7.
- Addition and subtraction are inverses; multiplication and division are inverses.
Key rule
Use inverse operations to get the variable alone and solve.
Memory hook
Whatever was done, undo it to isolate the variable.