Addition & Subtraction Inverses

This addition and subtraction inverses worksheet helps students understand how inverse operations undo one another through structured, step-by-step practice. Learners simplify expressions, identify missing values, and solve equations, building strong number sense and operational reasoning.

Instructional Objectives

• Skill Focus (Grades 4-6): Use addition and subtraction as inverse operations
• Conceptual Understanding (Grades 4-6): Recognize how inverse operations maintain equality
• Algebraic Reasoning (Grades 5-6): Solve for unknowns using inverse reasoning
• Curriculum Alignment (Grades 4-6): Supports operations and algebraic thinking standards

Students begin by simplifying expressions and observing patterns created by inverse operations. They then complete missing-number challenges that require identifying which value keeps an equation true. Next, learners apply inverse reasoning to solve for unknowns, strengthening equation-solving confidence. The final section presents real-world word problems, requiring students to translate situations into equations and solve them using inverse operations.

Learning Benefits

• Builds a clear understanding of operational relationships
• Suitable for classroom instruction, small groups, homework, or intervention (Grades 4-6)
• Strengthens number sense and flexible thinking
• Supports equation solving through multiple representations
• Connects inverse operations to real-world problem solving

Teachers can use this worksheet to introduce inverse operations or reinforce existing skills, while parents and homeschool educators will appreciate its logical progression from concrete practice to applied word problems.

This printable addition and subtraction inverses worksheet supports students in mastering inverse operations, making it an effective resource for classroom and homeschool math instruction in Grades 4-6.

This worksheet is part of our Inverse Property Worksheets collection.