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In this activity, we will be finding the missing numbers in equations.

 

In algebra, we use a letter to represent the unknown number.


Examples:

1 + x = 4     x =
 

To solve, we use the inverse of addition, which is subtraction, to get x on its own.

(in other words, to isolate x!)

x = 4 - 1

x = 3

 

4y = 24     y =
 

 

To solve, use the inverse of multiplication, which is division, to get y on its own

(in other words, to isolate y!)

y = 24 ÷ 4 

y = 6

 

Let's practise this in some questions.

 

boy thinking

10 questions