Solving simple equations with one operation (e.g., a + 7 = 15, 3b = 24) using inverse operations.
Where your child meets this in real life: Finding missing values, solving real-world problems algebraically
Each SEAG paper has 28 maths questions. Questions 29 to 50 are multiple choice with five possible answers, and questions 51 to 56 need a short written answer. With 56 questions in 60 minutes across English and maths, that is about a minute per question.
SEAGReady breaks solve one-step equations into 2 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Solve equations involving addition or subtraction (e.g., a + 7 = 15, b - 3 = 10) using inverse operations
Building block, not tested on its own
Solve equations involving explicit multiplication or division (e.g., 3 × b = 24, c ÷ 4 = 5) using inverse operations
Try three free questions from our solve one-step equations course. They start easy and get harder, so you can see where your child's confidence runs out. If they manage the last one without a hint, this topic is probably secure. If not, the steps above show where to start.
Sean has some money saved. He receives £7 for helping his neighbour and now has £19 altogether. The equation is: s + 7 = 19. How much money did Sean have before?
A minibus travels at a constant speed for 6 hours and covers 90 miles in total. How many miles does it travel in one hour? Solve: 6 × m = 90
The temperature at midnight was t degrees. By 6am it had risen by 8 degrees to reach 3 degrees. What was the temperature at midnight? Solve: t + 8 = 3
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Zoe has some money saved. She receives £9 for her birthday and now has £23 altogether.
How much money did Zoe have before her birthday?
a + 9 = 23
The letter a represents Zoe's original savings
Step 1 of 4
Zoe has some money saved. She receives £9 for her birthday and now has £23 altogether.
How much money did Zoe have before her birthday?
Zoe had £14 saved before her birthday.
The key insight: To find the unknown, do the opposite operation - subtraction undoes addition!
Common mix-up: Adding 9 instead: a = 23 + 9 = 32. We need to undo the +9, so we subtract 9, not add it.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in solve one-step equations, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with solve one-step equations? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
Sitting the SEAG test this November? Read our last-month revision plan, Paper 1 vs Paper 2 and test day guide.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.
Free to start · no card needed