Inverse Operations Math Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

easy
Show that adding and subtracting the same number leaves you where you started: start with 15, add 8, then subtract 8. What do you get?

Solution

  1. 1
    Start: 15.
  2. 2
    Add 8: \(15 + 8 = 23\).
  3. 3
    Subtract 8: \(23 - 8 = 15\).
  4. 4
    You are back to 15. This shows \(a + b - b = a\).

Answer

15 (back to the start)
Addition and subtraction are inverse operations. Adding then subtracting the same number always returns you to the original value.

About Inverse Operations

Operations that undo each other: addition undoes subtraction, multiplication undoes division, and vice versa. Applying an operation followed by its inverse returns you to the starting value.

Learn more about Inverse Operations →

More Inverse Operations Examples

Example 2 medium

You start with a mystery number. You multiply it by 6 and get 54. Use the inverse operation to find

Example 3 easy

Start with 20. Subtract 7, then add 7. What is the result? What property does this show?

Example 4 medium

A number divided by 4 equals 8. What is the number? Use inverse operations.

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