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
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
supporting lesson — excluded from official-format mocks
Solve equations involving explicit multiplication or division (e.g., 3 × b = 24, c ÷ 4 = 5) using inverse operations
Three free sample questions from our solve one-step equations course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
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?
Poppy buys 3 identical notebooks. She pays £15 in total. How much does each notebook cost? Solve: 3 × n = 15
Sarah thinks of a number. She adds 8 to it and gets 20. What was her number? Solve: n + 8 = 20
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.
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