Finding the Unknown Factor, Dividend and Divisor

You know the total number of balls and how many fit in one box. Divide the total by the amount in one box to find the number of boxes.

Check: number of boxes × balls in one box = all the balls.

The dividend, the number before ÷, is missing. Find it by multiplying the divisor by the result.

For example, for ? ÷ 7 = 6, the dividend is 7 × 6 = 42. Check by dividing your number by the given divisor.

Look at where the question marks are. If division is shown as a fraction, the top number is being divided by the bottom number.

• For a missing multiplication factor, divide the product by the known factor.
• For a missing dividend, multiply the divisor by the result.
• For a missing divisor, divide the dividend by the result.

Put your number in place of the question marks and check the whole equation.

You know the total number of sweets and how many each child gets. Divide the total by the amount for one child.

The result is the number of children. Check by multiplying it by the sweets for one child.

Find the missing factor by dividing the product by the known factor. This works whether the question mark is before or after the multiplication sign.

For example, for ? × 7 = 42, calculate 42 ÷ 7 = 6. Put the number back and check by multiplying.

You know the total number of sweets and how many each child gets. Divide the total by the amount for one child.

The result is the number of children. Check by multiplying it by the sweets for one child.

Find the missing factor by dividing the product by the known factor. This works whether the question mark is before or after the multiplication sign.

For example, for ? × 7 = 42, calculate 42 ÷ 7 = 6. Put the number back and check by multiplying.

The divisor, the number after ÷, is missing. Find it by dividing the starting number by the result shown.

For example, for 48 ÷ ? = 6, the missing divisor is 48 ÷ 6 = 8. Check that 48 ÷ 8 = 6.

The dividend, the number before ÷, is missing. Find it by multiplying the divisor by the result.

For example, for ? ÷ 7 = 6, the dividend is 7 × 6 = 42. Check by dividing your number by the given divisor.

Look at where the question marks are. If division is shown as a fraction, the top number is being divided by the bottom number.

• For a missing multiplication factor, divide the product by the known factor.
• For a missing dividend, multiply the divisor by the result.
• For a missing divisor, divide the dividend by the result.

Put your number in place of the question marks and check the whole equation.