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Solve Equations (of the form ax + b = c) Using the Inverse Method

In this worksheet, students will solve equations of the form ax + b = cusing the inverse method.

'Solve Equations (of the form ax + b = c) Using the Inverse Method' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 2

Curriculum topic:   Maths and Numerical Reasoning

Curriculum subtopic:   Equations and Algebra

Difficulty level:  

Worksheet Overview

In this worksheet, we will learn how to solve equations by using the inverse method.

Letters are used to represent numbers in algebra.

In an equation, one letter represents just one value.



3x + 4 = 13.

Here, we have started with the unknown value x, multiplied it by 3 and added 4 to get the result 13.



To find out what the unknown value is, we must "unravel" the equation by working backwards, using inverses.

We always deal with the thing that is not with the 'x', so to get rid of the + 4 we subtract the 4 from both sides

3x + 4 - 4 = 13 - 4

3x = 9

Now, divide both sides by 3 so that we have the x by itself.

3x ÷ 3 = 9 ÷ 3

x = 3

The answer x = 3 will work if you substitute it back into the equation.
3 × 3 + 4 = 13.

9 + 4 = 13

13 = 13

So x = 3 is the correct answer!

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