--- title: "Unknown in Multiplication & Division" description: "Determine the unknown whole number in a multiplication or division equation relating three whole numbers (e.g. 8 × ? = 48, ? × 6 = 42)" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/unknown-in-multiplication-and-division-mt_xZvDCYA5Ae source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/unknown-in-multiplication-and-division-mt_xZvDCYA5Ae.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Unknown in Multiplication & Division Determine the unknown whole number in a multiplication or division equation relating three whole numbers (e.g. 8 × ? = 48, ? × 6 = 42) Subject: Mathematics · Area: Multiplication & Division · Ages 8 to 9 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/unknown-in-multiplication-and-division-mt_xZvDCYA5Ae ## Ready when they can - Find the missing factor in 7 × ? = 63 - Find the missing dividend in ? ÷ 5 = 9 - Explain the strategy used (e.g. using the related multiplication fact) ## Lesson: Finding the missing number Sometimes a multiplication or division sentence has one number missing, shown as a question mark. It might look like 8 × ? = 48, or ? ÷ 6 = 7. Your job is to figure out what number belongs there. *(drawing: 7 rows of 9 make 63. If the 9 were hidden instead, you could still find it: 63 ÷ 7 = 9.)* **Example.** Look at 7 × ? = 63. You already know that division undoes multiplication, so 63 ÷ 7 tells you what number times 7 makes 63. That means ? = 9. **Example.** Now look at ? ÷ 5 = 9. Some number split into 5 equal groups makes 9 in each group. Multiply back: 5 × 9 = 45. So ? = 45. **Tip.** Always check your answer by putting it back into the original sentence. If both sides match, you found the right number. **Recap.** Find a missing number by using the multiplication fact you already know, then check it by multiplying back. ## Practice 17 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Division as Unknown Factor](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/division-as-unknown-factor-mt_GDG9_SZmsO) - [Fluent multiplication and division facts](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/fluent-multiplication-and-division-facts-mt_WX30dzi4dt) ## Opens up - [Writing Algebraic Equations](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/writing-algebraic-equations-mt_i9rJbuFO3p)