inverse operation

This is an operation which undoes another operation.

Add and subtract are inverse operations.

For example, 5 + 6 – 6 = 5.

In this example, we start with 5, then add 6 which gives a total of 11. Then, we subtract 6 which gives a total of 5. This is the number we had to begin with.

Multiply and divide are inverse operations.

For example, 6 × 10 ÷ 10 = 6.

In this example, we start with 6, then multiply by 10 which gives a total of 60. Then, we divide by 10 which gives a total of 6. This is the number we had to begin with.

Inverse operation also refers to the translation of shapes. It moves a shape back to its original location.

Look at the picture.

Triangle A is translated three units right and two units down for it to be moved to the location of triangle B. The inverse operation to move triangle B back to its original location, namely triangle A, is three units left and two units up.