1.3.4
Missing Number Problems
Missing Number Problems
Missing Number Problems
We can use our knowledge of number relationships, number facts and inverse operations to find the missing number in a calculation.


Missing number
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


Number facts
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.


Bar models
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.


Inverse operations
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.
1Year 3 - Number
1.1Number & Place Value
1.2Addition & Subtraction
1.3Multiplication & Division
2Year 3 - Measurement
2.3Volume & Capacity
3Year 3 - Geometry
3.2Properties of Shapes
3.3Straight Lines
4Year 3 - Statistics
4.1Statistics
5Year 4 - Number
5.1Number & Place Value
5.2Addition & Subtraction
5.3Multiplication & Division
6Year 4 - Measurement
7Year 4 - Geometry
7.1Properties of Shapes
7.2Perimeter & Area
7.3Position & Direction
8Year 4 - Statistics
Jump to other topics
1Year 3 - Number
1.1Number & Place Value
1.2Addition & Subtraction
1.3Multiplication & Division
2Year 3 - Measurement
2.3Volume & Capacity
3Year 3 - Geometry
3.2Properties of Shapes
3.3Straight Lines
4Year 3 - Statistics
4.1Statistics
5Year 4 - Number
5.1Number & Place Value
5.2Addition & Subtraction
5.3Multiplication & Division
6Year 4 - Measurement
7Year 4 - Geometry
7.1Properties of Shapes
7.2Perimeter & Area
7.3Position & Direction
8Year 4 - Statistics
Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium
Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions
Mini-mock exams based on your study history
Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books