Mathematics
Grade 3
15 min
Multiplication facts up to 10: select the missing factors
Multiplication facts up to 10: select the missing factors
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the missing factor in a multiplication equation up to 10 x 10.
Use related division facts to find a missing factor.
Explain the relationship between multiplication and division as inverse operations.
Solve word problems that require finding a missing factor.
Represent a missing factor problem using arrays or equal groups.
Check the answer to a missing factor problem using multiplication.
If you have 18 stickers to put into a sticker book, and you want to put an equal number on 3 pages, how many stickers go on each page? 🌟
Today, we'll become math detectives and learn how to find the 'mystery number' in a multiplication problem. This is called finding the missing factor. This important skill helps us solve puzzles and shows how mu...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
FactorA number that is multiplied by another number to get a product.In the equation 3 x 7 = 21, the numbers 3 and 7 are both factors.
ProductThe answer you get when you multiply numbers together.In the equation 3 x 7 = 21, the number 21 is the product.
Multiplication EquationA number sentence that uses the multiplication sign (x) to show that two or more numbers are being multiplied.8 x 4 = 32 is a multiplication equation.
Missing FactorThe unknown number in a multiplication equation that you need to find.In 5 x ? = 20, the question mark represents the missing factor.
Inverse OperationsOperations that undo each other. Multiplication and division are inverse operations.If 4 x 6 = 24, the inverse operation is 24 ÷ 4 = 6 or 24 ÷ 6 = 4.
Fact FamilyA set of related multi...
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Core Formulas
The Missing Factor Rule (Using Division)
If $a \times ? = c$, then $? = c \div a$
To find a missing factor, you can use the inverse (opposite) operation, which is division. You divide the product (the total) by the factor you already know.
The Commutative Property (Order Property)
$a \times b = b \times a$
This rule reminds us that you can switch the order of the factors, and the product will stay the same. If you know 3 x 9, you also know 9 x 3.
Thinking in Equal Groups
Total = (Number of Groups) $\times$ (Number in Each Group)
When you see a problem like $4 \times ? = 28$, you can ask yourself, 'If I have a total of 28 and I want to make 4 equal groups, how many will be in each group?'
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Challenging
A farmer has 3 chicken coops and 5 pig pens. He buys 54 chickens and wants to put an equal number in each chicken coop. How many chickens will go in each coop?
A.18
B.9
C.10
D.54
Challenging
The same number is missing from both equations below. What is the missing number?
Equation 1: 4 x ? = 32
Equation 2: ? x 7 = 56
A.6
B.7
C.8
D.9
Challenging
Why does dividing the product by a known factor help you find the other, missing factor?
A.Because division is a faster way to do math.
B.Because multiplication and division are inverse operations that undo each other.
C.Because the product is always the biggest number.
D.Because addition and subtraction are fact families.
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