operations · Year 3 · Suggested learning sequence
Missing factors in × and ÷ facts
A missing-number fact asks which number makes the sentence true. For 4 × ? = 24, ask 'how many fours make 24?' and use the division fact 24 ÷ 4 = 6. For a division with a missing number, use the matching multiplication fact. For bigger numbers, take out ten groups first, then find how many groups are left.
Sample questions
? × 2 = 8
- Think: how many 2s make 8?
- Use the division fact: 8 ÷ 2 = 4.
- Check: 4 × 2 = 8. The missing number is 4.
Answer: 4
? × 10 = 60
- Think: how many 10s make 60?
- Use the division fact: 60 ÷ 10 = 6.
- Check: 6 × 10 = 60. The missing number is 6.
Answer: 6
5 × ? = 50
- Think: how many 5s make 50?
- Use the division fact: 50 ÷ 5 = 10.
- Check: 5 × 10 = 50. The missing number is 10.
Answer: 10