Missing numbers: first equations

The Maths Habit Handout to print

Which strip fills the gap?

ABC

C. The two parts make the whole.

Whole
All of it: the parts put together.
Part
One of the pieces that make the whole.
Missing number
The number we need to find.
Equation
A number sentence with an equals sign.

wholepartpart
  1. Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.The parts fit the whole exactly.
  2. Find the missing number.A missing part: the whole take away the part you know.A missing whole: add the parts.

Which number is the whole?

+ 7 = 15 15

Which number is the whole?

20 − = 12 20

Which number is the whole?

− 4 = 6 is the whole

+ 8 = 13Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. = 5

1358

16 − = 9Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. = 7

1697

+ 8 = 13Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. = 5

1358

5 + = 12Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. = 7

1257

+ 8 = 13Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. = 5

1358

14 − = 6Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. = 8

1468

+ 8 = 13Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. = 5

1358

− 5 = 9Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. = 14

1495

+ 8 = 13Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. = 5

1358

18 = + 11Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. = 7

18711

Missing numbers: first equations worksheet, page 1

+ 7 = 151578
x + 7 = 151578

A letter can stand for the missing number. It is the same bar. x = 8

What is the value of a?

a + 3 = 8 5

What is the value of y?

y − 2 = 6 8

3 × = 21The bar has three equal parts.
Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. = 7

21777

4 × = 12The bar has four equal parts.
Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. = 3

123333

3 × = 21The bar has three equal parts.
Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. = 7

21777

5 × n = 20The bar has five equal parts.
Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below.
Find the missing number. n = 4

2044444

Missing numbers: first equations worksheet, page 2

Answer sheet

Thumbs up: it is the whole. Thumbs down: a part.

  1. + 4 = 11

    A part

  2. − 3 = 8

    The whole

  3. 12 − = 5

    A part

  4. 9 = − 6

    The whole

  5. x + 2 = 10

    A part

  1. + = 14. Both boxes are the same number. Find it.

    7

  2. + 6 = 4 + 9. Find the missing number.

    7

  3. a + b = 10 and a − b = 4. Find a and b.

    a = 7, b = 3

  1. + 6 = 14. Find the missing number.

    = 8

  2. x − 5 = 7. Find x.

    x = 12

  3. 4 × = 20. Fill in the bar: whole on top, parts below. Find the missing number.

    = 5
Exit tickets to print