Missing numbers
Missing numbers helps children practise finding the missing number in a sum or difference — for example 37 + __ = 45 or __ − 16 = 29. Read the short guide and look through the examples before choosing online practice or a printable worksheet.
How to solve this
- A placeholder (box or question mark) stands for a missing number in an equation; your job is to find it.
- Use the inverse operation: if the box is in an addition, subtract the known addend from the sum to find it.
- Check by substituting your answer back into the original equation to confirm both sides are equal.
Examples
37 + __ = 45
8
__ - 16 = 29
45