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Missing Operation Detective
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Missing Operation Detective
Each number sentence has one missing operation. Choose from +, −, × or ÷ so both sides have the same value. Show or explain your thinking where asked.
Find the missing operation
1.318 ___ 146 = 172. Which operation makes this number sentence true?
2.96 ___ 8 = 12. Write the missing operation.
3.14 ___ 7 = 98. Write the missing operation.
4.63 ___ 29 = 92. Write the missing operation.
Choose and explain
5.At a Matariki celebration, Arjun arranges 54 glow sticks into 6 equal bundles. Which operation belongs in 54 ___ 6 = 9?
- +
- −
- ×
- ÷
6.Harrison has 128 star stickers and Finn brings 75 more. Which operation makes 128 ___ 75 = 203 true?
- +
- −
- ×
- ÷
7.A table has 9 rows with 8 lanterns in each row. Which operation makes 9 ___ 8 = 72 true?
- +
- −
- ×
- ÷
8.For 81 ___ 9 = 9, name the missing operation and explain how you know.
9.For 167 ___ 58 = 225, name the missing operation and explain how the answer helps you check.
Use detective strategies
10.Match each strategy to what it helps you do when finding a missing operation.
- Estimate first
- Use an inverse operation
- Notice number patterns
- Use a calculator
- Check whether your answer is correct
- Spot whether values increase or decrease
- Get a rough idea of the answer's size
- Work backwards from the result
Challenge cases
11.156 ___ 13 = 12. Which operation is missing? Show a calculation to prove your choice.
12.25 ___ 4 = 100. Which operation is missing? Show a calculation to prove your choice.
13.Complete this number sentence by choosing the missing operation: 240 ___ 60 = 4.
14.What does the equals sign tell you about the two sides of a number sentence?
15.Which strategy would you choose to check whether 36 × 7 = 252 is correct?
3 printable pages
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