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Inverse Operations Detective Work

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Inverse Operations Detective Work

Use inverse operations to uncover missing numbers and check each solution. Show your working where asked.

1.Isla had 28 biscuits in a tin. She packed some into lunch bags, leaving 11 in the tin. Write an equation for the number packed, then use the inverse operation to find it.

2.Which subtraction shows subtracting 9 to undo 16 + 9 = 25? Choose one answer.

25 − 9 = 16
25 − 16 = 9
16 − 9 = 7

3.A mystery number plus 18 equals 43: □ + 18 = 43. Use subtraction to solve, then check your answer with addition.

4.Start at 6 and jump forward 7. The jump lands at 13. To undo the jump, move backwards 7. What number do you land on?

5.Match each equation on the left with the equation on the right that undoes it.

32 + 14 = 46
51 − 19 = 32
27 + 8 = 35

35 − 8 = 27
46 − 14 = 32
32 + 19 = 51

6.Tahnee says, “The inverse of 37 − 12 = 25 is 25 + 12 = 37.” Is Tahnee correct? Explain how the two equations check each other.

7.A detective solves □ − 15 = 29 by writing □ = 29 − 15 = 14. Explain the mistake and give the correct missing number.

8.A shop had 40 toy cars. It sold 13, then received a delivery of 8 more. How many toy cars does it have now? Write the two operations and use inverse operations to check your final answer.