In x ÷ 4 = 6, why multiply both sides by 4 instead of dividing?

x is already divided by 4, so undoing it means the opposite operation. Multiplying both sides by 4 leaves x on the left and 6 × 4 = 24 on the right; dividing again only makes x smaller.

Must two-step equations always clear the addition first?

Yes. Clear what sits next to x before dividing, so that 2x or 3x is left on its own. Changing the order turns the equation into a different one.

Primary 5 Maths: Simple Equations — Practice Paper 2 (10 Questions)

2026-10-29

Tutor Prep Guide · Primary Maths

Paper 2 adds equations with x divided by a number and uses larger numbers in two-step items: clear the addition or subtraction first, divide last, write every line and check.

Quick answer　10 questions, about 25 minutes. Items 01 to 03 are one-step addition, subtraction and multiplication equations, item 04 is a division equation, items 05 to 07 are two-step equations, items 08 and 09 form an equation from words, item 10 is the usual division slip.

01　Paper details (check answers afterwards)

Item	Detail
Questions	10 questions
Suggested time	25 minutes
Difficulty mix	Foundation 4 · Intermediate 3 · Challenge 2 · Error redo 1
Chapter	Chapter: Primary 5 Maths: Simple Equations — Tutor Lesson Plan
Level	Primary 5

02　Questions (10 items)

FoundationSolve: x + 12 = 30
FoundationSolve: x − 15 = 8
FoundationSolve: 7x = 63
FoundationSolve: x ÷ 4 = 6
IntermediateSolve: 3x + 4 = 25
IntermediateSolve: 9x − 6 = 48
IntermediateSolve: 2x + 7 = 39
ChallengeA book costs $x. Three books are bought, $100 is paid and $13 change is given. Write “let x be …”, then an equation, and find x.
ChallengeA rope is x cm long. 25 cm is cut off, then the rest is split into 5 equal parts of 12 cm. Find x.
Error redoSolve: x ÷ 6 = 7 (common slip: dividing both sides by 6 and writing x = 7 ÷ 6)

03　Answers and one-line notes

#	Answer	One-line note
1	x = 18	Subtract 12 from both sides: x = 30 − 12 = 18, and 18 + 12 = 30 checks it.
2	x = 23	Add 15 to both sides: x = 8 + 15 = 23, and 23 − 15 = 8 checks it.
3	x = 9	7x is seven x, so divide both sides by 7: x = 63 ÷ 7 = 9, and 7 × 9 = 63 checks it.
4	x = 24	x is divided by 4, so multiply both sides by 4: x = 6 × 4 = 24, and 24 ÷ 4 = 6 checks it.
5	x = 7	Subtract 4 from both sides for 3x = 21, then divide both sides by 3 for x = 7; 3 × 7 + 4 = 25.
6	x = 6	Add 6 to both sides for 9x = 54, then divide both sides by 9 for x = 6; 9 × 6 − 6 = 48.
7	x = 16	Subtract 7 from both sides for 2x = 32, then divide both sides by 2 for x = 16; 2 × 16 + 7 = 39.
8	3x = 87, so x = 29	The 87 spent, 100 minus 13, is the price of three books: 3x = 87, and dividing both sides by 3 gives x = 29; 3 × 29 + 13 = 100 checks it.
9	x = 85 cm	The rest is 5 × 12 = 60 cm, so x − 25 = 60 and adding 25 to both sides gives x = 85; 85 − 25 = 60 and 60 ÷ 5 = 12.
10	x = 42	x is divided by 6, so undo it by multiplying both sides by 6: x = 7 × 6 = 42, and 42 ÷ 6 = 7 checks it.

04　What to do after marking

After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.

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