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Grade 3 · Maths · Lessons
The number that is missing
❓missing⚖️balance✖️times🟰equals
The missing number.
The big ideaBoth sides of the equals make the same number.

How it works

Both sides of the equals make the same number.

Work out the side you can, then find what makes the other side match.

Use times facts or division to find the missing number.

3 × 4• = 122 × 6• = 12
Both sides match.

Example 1: Work out one side

  1. ? = 10 × 4
  2. 10 × 4 on one side.
  3. The other side must be the same.
  4. So the answer is 40.

Example 2: The answer is the missing number

  1. 9 × 5 = ?
  2. Work out 9 × 5.
  3. That is the missing number.
  4. So the answer is 45.

Example 3: Both sides have a times

  1. 3 × 4 = ? × 6
  2. 3 × 4 = 12, so the other side is 12.
  3. What times 6 makes 12?
  4. So the answer is 2.

Words to know

equation
A number sentence with an equals sign.
missing number
The number you have to find.

Watch out

Try it

  1. ? = 6 × 2
  2. 16 = ? × 8
  3. 9 × ? = 45
Answers: 1. 12 · 2. 2 · 3. 5
For grown-upsWrite an equation with a box and ask your child to find the number that fits.
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