Learning Map
MathematicsMultiplication & Divisionusually ages 11–12

Using inverse operations

Recognise and use relationships between operations including inverse operations; use these relationships to check answers and simplify calculations

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 '252 ÷ 7 = 36', can they immediately use the inverse to check — '36 × 7 = 252' — without having to redo the division?

Where this sits on the map

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

Builds on
Multi-step problems: choosing operationsages 10–11Fluency with all four operations in context is required before formalising inverse relationships between them
Order of operationsages 10–11Understanding order of operations (BODMAS) is required before studying how operations undo each other via inverse relationships
Using inverse operationsthis skill · ages 11–12
Unlocks
Solving Linear Equationsages 11–14Solving linear equations by rearrangement requires applying inverse operations to isolate an unknown
Simple formulaeages 12–14Rearranging formulae to change the subject is an application of inverse operations to algebraic expressions

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

AC9M5A01high confidenceYear 5 · Algebra

recognise and explain the connection between multiplication and division as inverse operations and use this to develop families of number facts

AC9M5N06medium confidenceYear 5 · Number

solve problems involving multiplication of larger numbers by one- or two-digit numbers, choosing efficient calculation strategies and using digital tools where appropriate; check the reasonableness of answers

AC9M5N05medium confidenceYear 5 · Number

solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions with the same or related denominators, using different strategies

NSW syllabus codes & stages only

MA3-AR-01high confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 3
MA3-MR-01medium confidenceMathematics K-10 · Stage 3

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 codes & levels only

VC2M5A01high confidenceMathematics · Level 5 · Algebra strand
VC2M5N06low confidenceMathematics · Level 5 · Number strand
VC2M5A02low confidenceMathematics · Level 5 · 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

Factors, multiples, and primes (age 11+)ages 11–12 Ratio (age 11+)ages 11–12 Sign Rules for Multiplicationages 11–13 Brackets in Expressionsages 10–11

All Multiplication & Division skills →