Stage 4 · Division
Missing factors
A missing factor is a division.
How to do it
Method
A missing factor is a division
7 × ? = 56 → 56 ÷ 7 = 8
Another way
Think of the table
7 times what is 56? 7 × 8 = 56, so ? = 8
In full
7 × ? = 56 is just 56 ÷ 7. Missing-factor questions are the first step into algebra: solving 7x = 56 later is the very same move.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
4 × ? = 8
Show the answer and working
Answer: 4 × 2 = 8
4 × ? = 8 is 8 ÷ 4: 4 × 2 = 8
Example 2
4 × ? = 24
Show the answer and working
Answer: 4 × 6 = 24
4 × ? = 24 is 24 ÷ 4: 4 × 6 = 24
Example 3
2 × ? = 14
Show the answer and working
Answer: 2 × 7 = 14
2 × ? = 14 is 14 ÷ 2: 2 × 7 = 14
Example 4
12 × ? = 36
Show the answer and working
Answer: 12 × 3 = 36
12 × ? = 36 is 36 ÷ 12: 12 × 3 = 36
Practise missing factors in the game →Stage 4 · Division · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download