LESSON

3 Unknown Numbers in Addition,

Subtraction, Multiplication,
and Division

Power Up Building Power

facts Power Up A

mental a. Measurement: 3 score and 6

math 1
b. Measurement: 22 dozen
c. Number Sense: Half of 1000
d. Number Sense: 1200 + 300
e. Number Sense: 750 − 500
f. Number Sense: 30 × 30
g. Probability: What is the probability of rolling an even number on a
number cube?
h. Calculation: Start with the number of minutes in an hour. Divide by 2;
subtract 5; double that number; subtract 1; then divide by 7. What is
the answer?

problem Some math problems require us to “think through” a lot of information

solving before arriving at the solution. We can use logical reasoning to interpret and
apply the information given in the problem to help us find the solution.
Problem: Simon held a number cube so that he could see the dots on
three of the faces. Simon said he could see 7 dots. How many dots could
he not see?
Understand We must first establish a base of knowledge about standard
number cubes. The faces of a standard number cube are numbered with
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 dots. The number of dots on opposite faces of a number
cube always total 7 (1 dot is opposite 6 dots, 2 dots are opposite 5 dots,
and 3 dots are opposite 4 dots). Simon sees seven dots on three faces of a
standard number cube. We are asked to find the number of dots on the faces
he cannot see.
Plan We will use logical reasoning about a number cube and write an
equation to determine the number of unseen dots.
Solve First, we find the total number of dots on a number cube: 1 + 2 + 3 +
4 + 5 + 6 = 21 dots. Then, we write an equation to solve for the number of
unseen dots: 21 total dots − 7 seen dots = 14 unseen dots.
Check We found that Sam could not see 14 dots. Our answer makes
sense, because the total number of dots on the number cube is 21.

20 Saxon Math Course 2

 New Concept Increasing Knowledge

Math Language An equation is a statement that two quantities are equal. Here we show two
A variable is equations:
a letter used
3+4=7 5+a=9
to represent a
number that is The equation on the right contains a variable. In this lesson we will practice
not given. finding the value of variables in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division equations.
Sometimes we encounter addition equations in which the sum is unknown.
Sometimes we encounter addition equations in which an addend is unknown.
We can use a letter to represent an unknown number. The letter may be
uppercase or lowercase.
Unknown Sum Unknown Addend Unknown Addend
2+3=N 2+a=5 b+3=5
Thinking Skill If we know two of the three numbers, we can find the unknown number. We
Verify can find an unknown addend by subtracting the known addend from the
Why can we sum. If there are more than two addends, we subtract all the known addends
use subtraction from the sum. For example, to find n in the equation
to find the
3 + 4 + n + 7 + 8 = 40
missing variable
in an addition we subtract 3, 4, 7, and 8 from 40. To do this, we can add the known
equation? addends and then subtract their sum from 40.

Example 1
Find the unknown number in each equation:
a. n + 53 = 75 b. 26 + a = 61
c. 3 + 4 + n + 7 + 8 = 40

Solution

In both a and b we can find each unknown addend by subtracting the known
addend from the sum. Then we check.
a. Subtract. Try it. b. Subtract. Try it.
75 22 61 26
 53  53  26  35
22 75 check 35 61 check
In a, n is 22. In b, a is 35.
c. We add the known addends.
3 + 4 + 7 + 8 = 22
Then we subtract their sum, 22, from 40.
40 − 22 = 18
n = 18
We use the answer in the original equation for a check.
3 + 4 + 18 + 7 + 8 = 40 check

Lesson 3 21
 There are three numbers in a subtraction equation. If one of the three
numbers is unknown, we can find the unknown number.
Unknown Minuend Unknown Subtrahend Unknown Difference
a−3=2 5−x=2 5−3=m
To find an unknown minuend, we add the other two numbers. To find an
unknown subtrahend or difference, we subtract.

Example 2
Find the unknown number in each equation:
a. p − 24 = 17 b. 32 − x = 14

Solution

a. To find the minuend in a subtraction equation, we add the other two

numbers. We find that the unknown number p is 41.
Add. Try it.
17 41
 24  24
41 17 check
b. To find a subtrahend, we subtract the difference from the minuend. So
the unknown number x is 18.
Subtract. Try it.
32 32
 14  18
18 14 check

A multiplication equation is composed of factors and a product. If any one

of the numbers is unknown, we can figure out what it is.
Unknown Product Unknown Factor Unknown Factor
3⋅2=p 3f = 6 r×2=6
To find an unknown product, we multiply the factors. To find an unknown
factor, we divide the product by the known factor(s).

Example 3
Find the unknown number in each equation:
a. 12n = 168 b. 7k = 105

Solution

In both a and b the unknown number is one of the two factors. Notice that 7k
means “7 times k.” We can find an unknown factor by dividing the product by
the known factor.

22 Saxon Math Course 2

 a. Divide. Try it. b. Divide. Try it.
14 15
12 冄 168 12 7 冄 105 15
12  14 7  7
48 48 35 105 check
48 12 35
0 168 check 0

In a, n is 14. In b, k is 15.

Model Draw a picture to help you find the unknown number in the equation
3y = 12. Hint: How many groups of 3 can you make?

If we know two of the three numbers in a division equation, we can figure

out the unknown number.
Unknown Quotient Unknown Divisor Unknown Dividend
24 24 p
n m 8 8
3 3
To find an unknown quotient, we simply divide the dividend by the divisor.
To find an unknown divisor, we divide the dividend by the quotient. To find
an unknown dividend, we multiply the quotient by the divisor.

Example 4
Find the unknown number in each equation:
a 64
a. = 15 b. =4
3 b

Solution

a. To find an unknown dividend, multiply the quotient and divisor.

3 × 15 = 45 try it 45 ÷ 3 = 15 check
b. To find an unknown divisor, divide the dividend by the quotient.
16 64
4 冄 64 try it 4 check
16
s
Explain How can we find the value of s in the equation 14 = 7?

Practice Set Find the unknown number in each equation:

a. a + 12 = 31 b. b − 24 = 15 c. 15c = 180
r
d.  12 e. 14e = 420 f. 26 + f = 43
8
364
g. 51 − g = 20 h. 7 i. 4n = 2 ⋅ 12
h
j. 3 + 6 + m + 12 + 5 = 30

k. Represent Write an equation using 2, 6, and the variable x. Explain

how to solve the equation and check the answer.

Lesson 3 23
 Written Practice Strengthening Concepts

1. When the product of 4 and 4 is divided by the sum of 4 and 4, what is

(1)
the quotient?

* 2. Summarize If you know the subtrahend and the difference, how can you
(1, 3)
find the minuend? Write a complete sentence to answer the question.

* 3. Analyze Which property of addition is stated by this equation?

(2)
(a + b) + c = a + (b + c)

* 4. Analyze If one addend is 7 and the sum is 21, what is the other
(3)
addend?

* 5. Generalize Use the numbers 3 and 4 to illustrate the Commutative

(2)
Property of Multiplication. Use a center dot to indicate multiplication.

* 6. JustifyList the properties used in the first and second steps to simplify
(2)
the expression 5 + (x + 7).

Step: Justification:
5 + ( x + 7) Given expression
5 + (7 + x) a.
(5 + 7) + x b.
12 + x 5 + 7 = 12

Find the value of each variable.

* 7. x + 83 = 112 * 8. 96 − r = 27
(3) (3)

* 9. 7k = 119 * 10. 127 + z = 300

(3) (3)

* 11. m − 137 = 731 * 12. 25n = 400

(3) (3)
625 x
* 13. w  25 * 14.  700
(3) (3) 60

* 15. Evaluate each expression for a = 20 and b = 5:

(1)
a
a. b. a − b
b
c. ab d. a + b

Simplify:
* 16. Analyze 96 ÷ (16 ÷ 2) 17. (96 ÷ 16) ÷ 2
(2) (2)

18. $16.47 + $15 + 63¢

(2)

19. $50.00 − ($6.48 + $31.75)

(2)

20. 47 21. $8.79

(2) (2)
 39  80

24 Saxon Math Course 2

 22. 1100 − (374 − 87) 23. (1100 − 374) − 87
(2) (2)

24. 4736 + 271 + 9 + 88

(1)

25. 30,145 − 4299

(1)
4740
26. 27. $40.00
(1) 30 (1) 32
28. 35 冄 2104 29. $0.48
(1) (2)
 40

* 30. Verify Why is 1 called the multiplicative identity?

(2)

Early Finishers Jessica and her friend went to the local high school football game. The price
Real-World of admission was $4.50. They each bought a bottle of water for $1.25 and a
Application pickle. Together they spent a total of $13.50.
a. Find the cost of each pickle.

b. Jessica had $10 to spend at the game. How much should she have left
after buying her ticket, the water, and a pickle?

Lesson 3 25