Using inverse operations
Recognise and use relationships between operations including inverse operations; use these relationships to check answers and simplify calculations
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“Using inverse operations means practising the idea at the table with counters or paper models and one clear check. We will demo once, then your child tries.”
Bring to the table
- Two colours of counters
- Paper for ratio or percent notation
Extra for the adult
Worked example. 2 red and 3 blue is the ratio 2:3.
Optional challenge. For Using inverse operations, add one harder example after success.
What to notice. Keep one parent note: examples tried; results; support used. This session samples Using inverse operations, not mastery.
Share and support
Compare teaching approaches
Teaching approaches
Gakuva’s recommended starting approach is selected. You can still compare every option.
1 approach
Using inverse operations means practising the idea at the table with counters or paper models and one clear check. We will demo once, then your child tries.
Materials: Two colours of counters; Paper for ratio or percent notation. 1. Say the goal of Using inverse operations in plain words once. 2. Adult shows 2 red : 3 blue and says the ratio (or 40% of 10). 3. Child builds three ratios or percentage amounts and records each notation. 4. Fresh check: one fresh ratio or percent reading. Record and stop. Done: three correct ratio/percent records. Proof: parent note of examples and results. Stop: End after the fresh check; keep optional challenge for another day.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Practice this concept
Start practiceUsing inverse operations practice
Practice key ideas from Using inverse operations.
Free · no login · no ads · Practice answers and completion are not saved. Parent observation remains the lesson record.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
BBC Bitesize · Practice link — not the full lesson
KS2 Maths
Before you open · source notes
KS2 Maths supports Using inverse operations. An adult previews and guides; this is a learning page, not a scored quiz.
Free educational page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner one fact they learned and one question they still have.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public BBC Bitesize page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
BBC Bitesize. “KS2 Maths.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Use addition and subtraction as inverse operations to check and solve problems
- Use multiplication and division as inverse operations to check and solve problems
- Recognise that squaring and square-rooting are inverse operations
“If your child works out '252 ÷ 7 = 36', can they immediately use the inverse to check — '36 × 7 = 252' — without having to redo the division?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Mathematics
- Domain
- Multiplication & Division
- Age range
- Ages 11–12
Standards