Finding the missing number

Mathematics · Multiplication & Division · ages 8-9

Name ______________________ Date ____________

What is the missing dividend in ? ÷ 5 = 9?
- 40
- 44
- 50
- 45
What is the missing factor in 7 x ? = 63?
- 10
- 7
- 9
- 8
7 × ? = 63. What number is missing?
- 8
- 9
- 63
To find the missing number in 6 × ? = 42, you can divide 42 by 6.
Circle one: True False
Ben found the missing number in 8 x ? = 56 by working out 56 ÷ 8. Is his strategy right?
Circle one: True False
Mia wants to find the missing number in 8 × ? = 56. Which strategy helps her?
- Divide 56 by 8
- Add 8 and 56
- Subtract 8 from 56
What is the missing number in ? ÷ 4 = 7?
- 28
- 24
- 26
- 32
What is the missing number in ? ÷ 6 = 7?
Answer: ______________
Leo says the missing number in ? × 6 = 42 is 8. What went wrong?
- 6 × 8 = 48, not 42, so 8 is too big
- 6 × 8 = 42, so Leo is right
- The missing number should be added, not multiplied
Flo says the missing number in 5 x ? = 45 is 8 because 5 x 8 = 45. Is Flo right?
Circle one: True False

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

45 · 45 is right because 45 ÷ 5 = 9.
9 · 9 is right because 7 x 9 = 63.
9 · 63 ÷ 7 = 9, so 7 × 9 = 63.
True · Dividing the product by the known factor gives the missing factor: 42 ÷ 6 = 7.
True · Ben is right: the related division 56 ÷ 8 = 7 reveals the missing factor.
Divide 56 by 8 · Dividing the product by the known factor gives the missing factor: 56 ÷ 8 = 7.
28 · 28 is right because 28 ÷ 4 = 7.
42 · The missing number is 42 because 42 ÷ 6 = 7.
6 × 8 = 48, not 42, so 8 is too big · Check by multiplying back: 6 × 7 = 42, so the missing number is 7, not 8.
False · Flo is wrong: 5 x 8 = 40, not 45. The missing number is 9.