3rd Grade Missing Factor Worksheet: Skip Count to the Answer

The worked example finds 5 × _ = 20 by counting 5, 10, 15, 20 and keeping track of the jumps: four jumps, so the factor is 4.

The same skip counting works for every item. For _ × 3 = 24, count by threes to 24 on the fingers: eight jumps. This is the first step that links multiplication and division.

Some answers have two digits. Items c, i and k give 10, 10 and 11. In item c, _ × 9 = 90, the choice 100 tempts children who add zeros without thinking.

Item g, 2 × _ = 2, has the answer 1, not 0 or 2. Two groups of one make two. The multiple choice options help, yet your child should check each pick by multiplying it back.

Play a quick game: say a product and one factor, like "I am 40 and one factor is 5." Your child skip counts to find the other factor, then gives you one to solve.

When your child reaches the end of the page, compare each tick with the answer key on page two. A habit of multiplying back makes the times table stronger.