Missing numbers
Free practice for missing numbers. It loads instantly, there is nothing to sign up for, and it stops after eight questions.
What this skill is
The equals sign means "is the same amount as". Children who read it as "write the answer here" get stuck the moment they meet 3 + 4 = ? + 2, and they stay stuck through algebra.
Three ways to teach it at home
- Read the equals sign out loud as "is the same amount as", every time.
- Write true equations in unusual shapes: 8 = 5 + 3, and 3 + 4 = 5 + 2. Ask if they are true.
- Use a balance, or two hands, or a see-saw drawing. The image matters more than the words.
Where this sits in the ladder
Comes after
Opens next
Questions people actually ask
What grade is "missing numbers"?
It sits in grade 1 in most sequences, and it is aligned to 1.OA.D.8. In Ladderbug it opens once what does = really mean? is solid — grade labels are a rough guide, and readiness is what actually matters.
Is this game free?
Yes. This page needs no account, no email and no card, and there are no advertisements. It saves progress in your own browser.
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