Mixed operations
Equality equations
Find one missing number in equations with addition or subtraction on both sides. Select operation pairs and a band for the known numbers.
Preview and downloadMixed operations practice
Missing term addition and subtraction
Recover one missing term in a four-term expression containing two additions and one subtraction. Choose one-digit, two-digit or mixed terms.
Ready-made English PDF · fixed settings
Customization below makes a separate PDF.
Fixed English ready-made files. Custom settings below apply only to the configured PDF.
Ready to print
Start with a ready-made worksheet
Use the printed total to recover ?, then write the missing value and substitute it back into the full expression.
Download the practice pages alone, or include a separate answer key or teacher model. Longer activities may use more than one page.
Customize this worksheetPaper sizes and printing help · More mixed operations activities
Choose the operations and the amount of support
Choose by the learner’s current skills. Mixing operations adds the task of recognizing a sign before choosing a method, even when the individual numbers are familiar.
The preview shows the first student page. Downloads contain the complete worksheet; the version with answers adds a separate key with matching problem positions. More spacious written-method practice may use several pages.
Learning objective
What this activity builds
Keep track of the sign attached to a missing term while solving an equation.
Worked example
6 + ? − 4 + 3 = 12
? = 7
The known terms combine to five, so the missing positive term must be seven. Substitution gives 6 + 7 − 4 + 3 = 12.
Teaching notes
Make the practice count
- The final total is nonnegative, but a left-to-right intermediate calculation may go below zero.
- When the missing term follows a subtraction sign, subtracting it has the opposite effect from adding it.
- The width setting describes the original terms, including the hidden one.
Make it yours
Customize the practice
Choose your options, update the preview, then download the exact same pages.
Enlarged pages scroll. PDF size stays the same.
A useful next step
Related activities
Mixed operations
Missing number mixed operations
Recover a missing operand in exact addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts using a selected letter symbol.
Preview and download
Mixed operations
Horizontal mixed operations
Solve addition, subtraction and multiplication in horizontal form, choosing one-digit, two-digit or mixed operand widths.
Preview and download