1. Inverse Operations Operation Inverse Operation
Solving an equation that contains multiplication or division is similar to solving an equation that contains addition or subtraction. Use inverse operations to undo the operations on the variable.
Inverse Operations
Operation
Inverse Operation
Multiplication
Division
Division
Multiplication

2. Solve the equation.
–8 = j 3
Since j is divided by 3, multiply both sides by 3 to undo the division.
–24 = j
Check
–8 = j 3 –8
–24 3
To check your solution, substitute –24 for j in the original equation.
–8 –8 

3. Solve the equation.
= 2.8 n 6
Since n is divided by 6, multiply both sides by 6 to undo the division.
n = 16.8
Check
= 2.8 n 6
2.8
16.8 6
To check your solution, substitute 16.8 for n in the original equation. 

4. Whiteboards
Solve the equation. Check your answer.
= 10 p 5

5. Whiteboards
Solve the equation. Check your answer.
–13 = y 3

6. Whiteboards
Solve the equation. Check your answer.
= 7 c 8

7. Solve the equation. Check your answer.
Since y is multiplied by 9, divide both sides by 9 to undo the multiplication.
y = 12
Check 9y = 108
To check your solution, substitute 12 for y in the original equation.
9(12) 108 

8. Solve the equation. Check your answer.
Since v is multiplied by –6, divide both sides by –6 to undo the multiplication.
0.8 = v
Check –4.8 = –6v
–4.8 –6(0.8)
To check your solution, substitute 0.8 for v in the original equation.
–4.8 –4.8 

9. Whiteboards
Solve the equation. Check your answer.
16 = 4c

10. Whiteboards
Solve the equation. Check your answer.
0.5y = –10

11. Whiteboards
Solve the equation. Check your answer.
15k = 75

12. Remember that dividing is the same as multiplying by the reciprocal
Remember that dividing is the same as multiplying by the reciprocal. When solving equations, you will sometimes find it easier to multiply by a reciprocal instead of dividing. This is often true when an equation contains fractions.

13. To check your solution, substitute 24 for w in the original equation.
Solve the equation. 5
w = 20
The reciprocal of is Since w is multiplied by , multiply both sides by 5 6 6
w = 24
Check
w = 20 5 6
To check your solution, substitute 24 for w in the original equation.
20
20 20 

14. To check your solution, substitute for z in the original equation.
Solve the equation. 3 1 8
= z 16
The reciprocal of is 8. Since z is multiplied by , multiply both sides by 8. 1 8
= z 3 2
Check 1 8 3 16
= z
To check your solution, substitute for z in the original equation. 3 2 3 16 

15. Whiteboards
Solve the equation. Check your answer. 1 4 1 5
– = b

16. Whiteboards
Solve the equation. = 4j 6 2 3

17. Whiteboards
Solve the equation. 1
w = 102 6

18. Whiteboards
The distance in miles from the airport that a plane should begin descending, divided by 3, equals the plane's height above the ground in thousands of feet. A plane began descending 45 miles from the airport. Use the equation to find how high the plane was flying when the descent began.
The plane was flying at 15,000 ft when the descent began.