Learning Map

Inverse: addition undoes subtraction

Recognise and use the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction to check calculations and solve missing-number problems

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

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Try this together

If your child works out 13 + 5 = 18, can they immediately use that to say '18 − 5 = 13' — without having to work the subtraction out all over again?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on
Finding a missing number in additionages 6–7Inverse relationship builds on understanding subtraction as unknown-addend
Inverse: addition undoes subtractionthis skill · ages 6–7
Unlocks
Estimating by roundingages 7–9Using inverse to check answers requires understanding the inverse relationship
Connecting Representationsages 6–7Inverse relationship understanding requires moving between addition and subtraction representations
Unknown in Addition & Subtractionages 6–7Solving missing-number problems benefits from knowing the inverse relationship

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

Show candidate curriculum codes · 3 ACARA · 2 NSW · 3 VIC

Australian Curriculum v9 candidate

AC9M3A01high confidenceYear 3 · Algebra

recognise and explain the connection between addition and subtraction as inverse operations, apply to partition numbers and find unknown values in number sentences

AC9M3A02medium confidenceYear 3 · Algebra

extend and apply knowledge of addition and subtraction facts to 20 to develop efficient mental strategies for computation with larger numbers without a calculator

AC9M2A02medium confidenceYear 2 · Algebra

recall and demonstrate proficiency with addition facts to 20; extend and apply facts to develop related subtraction facts

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MA2-AR-02medium confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 2
MA2-AR-01medium confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 2

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2M3A01high confidenceMathematics · Level 3 · Algebra strand
VC2M3A02medium confidenceMathematics · Level 3 · Algebra strand
VC2M2A04low confidenceMathematics · Level 2 · Algebra strand

These are candidate alignments generated by semantic matching — machine-suggested and unreviewed (v0.1), not official or verified mappings. For official curriculum content see australiancurriculum.edu.au, curriculum.nsw.edu.au and f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au. Don’t rely on them for registration or compliance purposes.

Nearby on the map

All Addition & Subtraction skills →