The creature has learned a lot — but now things get mixed up! It's facing all four types of equations at once and isn't sure which inverse operation to use. You've trained it. Now coach it through the final test.
Here's what I did…
2x = 18
x = 18 + 2
x = 20 ❌
Step 2 — What Went Wrong?
Find the creature's mistake.
The creature solved 2x = 18 and got 20. What mistake did it make?
Step 3 — Teach the Rule
Explain the correct move.
📐 Rule: Always match the inverse operation to what was done to x. Undo addition → subtract. Undo subtraction → add. Undo multiplication → divide. Undo division → multiply.
Use one of the sentence starters below to explain the mistake and the fix.
The creature is almost right because __________.
The mistake is __________.
The correct step is __________.
I know because __________.
To check, I can __________.
Tip: Use a math word like "inverse", "subtract", or "balance" to make your explanation stronger.
Step 4 — Fix the Work
Show the correct solution.
Solve 2x = 18 correctly. Match the inverse to the operation on x.
2x = 18
x =
Step 5 — Practice Rounds
Try it yourself — three rounds.
Apply what you taught the creature. Check at least one answer by substituting back in.
1
x + 6 = 20
Check your answer:
14 + 6 = 20 ✓
2
x − 9 = 14
Check your answer:
23 − 9 = 14 ✓
3
4x = 32
Check your answer:
4 × 8 = 32 ✓
4
x ÷ 3 = 11
Check your answer:
33 ÷ 3 = 11 ✓
Step 6 — Creature Retry
Watch your creature try again.
Your teaching worked! The creature is trying x + 15 = 28 with the correct method.
Let me try using the inverse operation…
x + 15 = 28
x = 28 − 15
x = 13
Did it work? Check by substituting back in.
Check:
13 + 15 = 28 ✓
That helped! I will use the inverse operation from now on. 🎉
🏆
Badge Earned: Equation Champion!
You coached your creature through Mission 5. It now knows: Match the inverse to the operation on x.
Reflection: What mistake did your creature stop making today? Think about: the wrong operation it used, and the correct inverse operation.