Inverse Operations Math Example 3

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

Example 3

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

Solution

  1. 1
    \(20 - 7 = 13\).
  2. 2
    \(13 + 7 = 20\).
  3. 3
    Result: 20. This shows \(a - b + b = a\).

Answer

20 — inverse operations cancel out
Subtracting then adding the same number brings you back to the start, showing these operations are inverses.

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 1 easy

Show that adding and subtracting the same number leaves you where you started: start with 15, add 8,

Example 2 medium

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

Example 4 medium

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

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