Missing Factors

This order of operations worksheet helps students develop algebraic reasoning by solving two-step expressions with missing factors. Learners work backward using PEMDAS to identify the unknown value that makes each expression true, strengthening logical thinking and understanding of expression structure.

Instructional Objectives

• Skill Focus (Grades 5-6): Determine missing values in two-step expressions using correct order-of-operations reasoning.
• Conceptual Understanding (Grades 5-6): Analyze how multiplication and addition or subtraction interact within an expression to maintain equality.
• Algebraic Reasoning (Grade 6): Use reverse reasoning to solve for unknowns and explain how the value balances the expression.
• Curriculum Alignment (Grades 5-6): Supports solving for unknowns, evaluating expressions, algebraic reasoning, and early equation-solving standards.

Each problem encourages students to think beyond computation and focus on structure-how operations relate and why certain values must be used. This approach builds a strong foundation for future work with equations and variables.

Learning Benefits

• Strengthens early algebraic thinking and reasoning
• Encourages reverse reasoning and strategic problem solving
• Reinforces accurate use of PEMDAS in short expressions
• Effective for practice, review, or algebra readiness

This printable worksheet provides focused, concept-driven practice that helps students confidently solve missing-factor problems in two-step expressions while preparing them for more advanced equation-solving tasks.

This worksheet is part of our 2-Step Order of Operations Worksheets collection.