Imagining missing elements
Missing elements may be numbers, shapes, variables or other mathematical objects.
They are used to:
- balance or solve equations
- predict terms in number sequences or series and sequences
- complete patterns, tables and arrays
- solve problems.
Mathematical reasoning is needed to describe and identify missing elements.
Missing elements may be used in teaching and assessment. The activity Covered by H is easy to adapt for all year levels.
Covered by H
This activity focusses on horizontal and vertical place-value patterns in a number grid. A shape is used to cover parts of the grid. Students need to explain what the covered numbers are and how they know.