Find the missing factor in a multiplication word problem
31 October 2026
Children often come across word problems in maths that ask them to find a missing number in a multiplication sentence. These questions encourage logical thinking and build confidence with times tables.
Example question
A box has some rows of apples. Each row has 6 apples. There are 24 apples in total. How many rows are there?
Step 1: Write the multiplication sentence with a missing factor. 6 ×? = 24
Step 2: Think about what number times 6 gives 24.
Step 3: Use division to find the missing factor. 24 ÷ 6 = 4
Step 4: Check by multiplying. 6 × 4 = 24
Answer: There are 4 rows of apples.
| Row | Number of apples |
|---|---|
| 1 | 6 |
| 2 | 6 |
| 3 | 6 |
| 4 | 6 |
After working through this example, your child will spot when a multiplication word problem is really asking them to find a missing factor. They can now try similar questions to practise this skill.
