This worksheet teaches students to find missing numbers in addition and subtraction number sentences, using inverse operations, balancing both sides and relational thinking. The worksheet is split into warm-up questions, standard questions and then extension questions to test you.
The concepts it covers:
- The = sign means "is the same amount as". Both sides of a number sentence must balance.
- Addition and subtraction undo each other. If 27 + □ = 63, then □ = 63 − 27.
- Numbers can be added in any order: 25 + 13 = 13 + 25. Subtraction can't be swapped.
- Relational thinking: compare the numbers on each side instead of working out both sides.
What your child will practise:
- Finding missing numbers using the inverse operation.
- Balancing number sentences with numbers on both sides.
- Deciding whether number sentences are true or false.
- Writing a number sentence with □ for a word problem.
- Using relational thinking to find unknowns quickly.
Every section opens with a worked example, and the download includes a full answer key with step-by-step solutions and teaching notes on the mistakes students most commonly make.
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