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.