1.3.4

Missing Number Problems

Test yourself

Missing Number Problems

We can use our knowledge of number relationships, number facts and inverse operations to find the missing number in a calculation.

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Missing number

  • Sometimes we have to work out the missing number in a multiplication or division equation.
  • This is not always the number after the = sign.
  • For example:
    • ? x 5 = 15
    • 4 ÷ ? = 2
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Number facts

  • We can use our knowledge to help find the missing number.
    • ? x 5 = 15
  • We know from our 5 times table that:
    • 3 x 5 is 15
  • The missing number is 3.
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Bar models

  • We can use bar models to find the missing number.
    • 24 ÷ ? = 4
  • We can see there are 6 squares. Each square is equal to 4.
  • The missing number is 6.
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Inverse operations

  • We can use inverse operations to find the missing number.
    • ? x 5 = 15
  • The inverse is 15 ÷ 5 = 3.
  • The missing number is 3.

Jump to other topics

1Year 3 - Number

2Year 3 - Measurement

3Year 3 - Geometry

4Year 3 - Statistics

5Year 4 - Number

6Year 4 - Measurement

7Year 4 - Geometry

8Year 4 - Statistics

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