6th graders are expected to learn solving one-step equations by adding and subtracting with fractions as it is critical in preparing students for higher-level math and science courses. Students need to be familiar with addition and subtraction of fractions.
Given the one-step equation, first isolate the variable term on one side of the equation by using the inverse operations, leaving the constant on the other side. Next, necessary arithmetic operations are done on the fractions to determine the value of the variable.
Students must use subtraction as the inverse operation of addition and addition as the inverse operation of subtraction. In some problems, students may need to convert mixed numbers to improper fractions.