Mathematics
Grade 3
15 min
Multiplication word problems: find the missing factor
Multiplication word problems: find the missing factor
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the known factors and the product in a word problem.
Represent a missing factor problem using an equation with a symbol for the unknown.
Use division facts to find the missing factor in a multiplication equation.
Use related multiplication facts (fact families) to solve for an unknown factor.
Draw a model, such as an array or equal groups, to represent and solve a missing factor word problem.
Write a complete sentence to answer a word problem involving a missing factor.
You have a sticker book with 24 empty spaces. If each page holds 6 stickers, how many pages do you need to fill the book? 📖
In this lesson, we will become math detectives! We'll learn how to solve special multiplication word problems where one of the numbers is a mystery. W...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
FactorA number that is multiplied with another number to get a product.In 3 x 4 = 12, the numbers 3 and 4 are factors.
ProductThe answer you get when you multiply two or more numbers together. It's the total amount.In 3 x 4 = 12, the number 12 is the product.
Missing FactorThe unknown number in a multiplication problem that you need to find.In 5 x ? = 20, the question mark represents the missing factor.
EquationA math sentence that shows two things are equal, using an equals sign (=).7 x 3 = 21 is an equation.
Related Facts (Fact Family)A set of multiplication and division equations that use the same three numbers.For the numbers 2, 5, and 10, the related facts are 2 x 5 = 10, 5 x 2 = 10, 10 ÷ 2 = 5, and 10 ÷ 5 = 2.
ArrayAn arrangement of objects in equal rows a...
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Core Formulas
The Missing Factor Equation
Known Factor \times \text{?} = Product
This shows a multiplication problem where you know one factor and the total (product), but need to find the other factor. The '?' can be any symbol, like a box or a letter.
Using Division to Find the Missing Factor
Product \div \text{Known Factor} = \text{Missing Factor}
To find the missing factor, you can use the inverse (opposite) operation, which is division. Divide the product by the factor you already know.
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
For a school bake sale, Mrs. Davis needs to bake 48 muffins. The muffin tins she has each hold 6 muffins. She also has 2 boxes of sprinkles to use for decoration. How many tins will she need to bake all the muffins?
A.2
B.42
C.8
D.288
Challenging
An artist is making a mosaic with 48 tiles. He arranges the tiles in an array. The number of rows in his array is one more than 5. How many tiles are in each row?
A.6
B.8
C.7
D.9
Challenging
Consider two situations. Scenario A: A boy has 4 bags with 8 apples in each. Scenario B: A boy has 32 apples and puts them into 4 bags. Which statement is true?
A.In Scenario A, you need to find a missing factor.
B.In Scenario B, you need to multiply 32 by 4.
C.Both scenarios are about finding the total number of apples.
D.In Scenario B, 32 is the product and 4 is a known factor.
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