Definition
An inverse operation is an operation that reverses or undoes another operation. Addition and subtraction are inverse operations, and so are multiplication and division.
Inverse operations are like walking forward and then backward. If you take 3 steps forward (add 3), taking 3 steps backward (subtract 3) brings you back to where you started.
Examples
- If 5 + 3 = 8, then 8 - 3 = 5 (subtraction undoes addition).
- If 4 x 6 = 24, then 24 / 6 = 4 (division undoes multiplication).
- 15 - 9 = 6 and 6 + 9 = 15.