Practice: One-Step Equation Gauntlet
Solve as many as you can!
Level 1: Addition (Solve for x)
x + 5 = 10
x + 3 = 7
x + 9 = 12
x + 1 = 11
x + 15 = 25
x + 7 = 19
Level 2: Subtraction (Solve for y)
y - 2 = 8
y - 10 = 5
y - 7 = 13
y - 1 = 9
y - 20 = 30
y - 6 = 14
Level 3: Multiplication (Solve for a)
2a = 12
5a = 25
3a = 15
10a = 100
4a = 24
6a = 42
Level 4: Division (Solve for b)
b / 3 = 5
b / 2 = 10
b / 6 = 6
b / 8 = 4
b / 5 = 7
b / 10 = 2
🔑 Kaiako answer key
Level 1 — Addition (subtract from both sides)
x = 5 · x = 4 · x = 3 · x = 10 · x = 10 · x = 12
Level 2 — Subtraction (add to both sides)
y = 10 · y = 15 · y = 20 · y = 10 · y = 50 · y = 20
Level 3 — Multiplication (divide both sides)
a = 6 · a = 5 · a = 5 · a = 10 · a = 6 · a = 7
Level 4 — Division (multiply both sides)
b = 15 · b = 20 · b = 36 · b = 32 · b = 35 · b = 20
Watch for: every answer here is a whole number, so a fraction or a decimal is a signal to check the working, not the arithmetic. Level 2 is where ākonga most often subtract when they should add — y − 2 = 8 becomes y = 6 instead of y = 10. Ask them to substitute the answer back in; 6 − 2 = 4, not 8, and they find their own error.
📋 Teacher Planning Snapshot
Ngā Whāinga Ako — Learning Intentions
Fluency practice for Lesson 4: a graded set of one-step equations.
Ngā Paearu Angitū — Success Criteria
- ✅ I can solve a one-step equation by doing the inverse operation to both sides.
- ✅ I can name which operation I am undoing and why.
- ✅ I can check my answer by substituting it back into the original equation.
Differentiation & Inclusion
The four levels are a ladder — stopping at Level 2 is a legitimate outcome for some ākonga. Those who reverse the operation benefit from writing the inverse above the equation before they start. Avoid timing this sheet; it is fluency practice, not a test.