CurriculumGrade 3Mathematics

Division as a Missing Factor

Aligned to 3.OA.B.6 — Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

What this lesson teaches

Every division problem is really a hidden multiplication. To divide, ask what number times the divisor gives the total.

Worked example

Solve 32 ÷ 8. Ask: what times 8 equals 32? Count by 8s: 8, 16, 24, 32. That is 4 eights. So 32 ÷ 8 = 4, because 8 × 4 = 32.

Practice questions

  1. Solve 27 ÷ 9 by asking what times 9 equals 27.
  2. Solve 30 ÷ 5 using a missing factor.
  3. Write the multiplication that helps you solve 42 ÷ 6.

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

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En español

La División como Factor que Falta

Cada división es en realidad una multiplicación escondida. Para dividir, pregunta qué número por el divisor da el total.

Ejemplo: Resuelve 32 ÷ 8. Pregunta: ¿qué número por 8 es 32? Cuenta de 8 en 8: 8, 16, 24, 32. Son 4 ochos. Entonces 32 ÷ 8 = 4, porque 8 × 4 = 32.

More Operations & Algebraic Thinking lessons

Multiplication and Division within 1003.OA.A.3Multiply with Equal Groups3.OA.A.1Divide into Equal Shares3.OA.A.2Find the Missing Number3.OA.A.4Smart Ways to Multiply3.OA.B.5Know Your Facts by Heart3.OA.C.7

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