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Year 6 · Maths · Algebra and sequences · Lesson 3

One-step equations

Solve one-step equations with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and write equations for word problems.

Whiteboard video lesson: One-step equations

21-minute video lesson

Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.

Watch free for a month

What your child will learn

  • Understand equations as balances
  • Use inverse operations
  • Solve one-step equations
  • Write equations from words
  • Check by substitution

The method

  1. What has been done to the letter?
  2. Do the inverse to both sides.
  3. Write x = ...
  4. Check by substituting.

Key words: equation, unknown, inverse, solve, substitute.

Worked examples

The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.

Question 1

Solve x + 5 = 12.

  1. Step 1: Subtract 5 from both sides
  2. Step 2: Write the new equation
  3. Step 3: Check your answer

Answer: x = 7

Question 2

Solve x + 18 = 30.

  1. Step 1: Subtract 18 from both sides
  2. Step 2: Write the new equation
  3. Step 3: Check your answer

Answer: x = 12

Question 3

Solve p − 4 = 11.

  1. Step 1: Add 4 to both sides
  2. Step 2: Write the new equation
  3. Step 3: Check your answer

Answer: p = 15