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Welcome! Today we will become math detectives and solve exciting number puzzles using a cool plan.
A number puzzle is like a mystery. We use clues to find a missing number that makes the math true.
First, we must analyze the clues. We look at the numbers we have and find how they connect to each other.
Next, we make a plan and find the solution. Then, we check our work to see if our answer makes sense.
✏️ Worked example
Find the missing number in this puzzle: A mystery number plus 6 equals 14. What is the mystery number?
- Analyze: We have a mystery number, an addition sign, the number 6, and a total of 14.
- Plan: Since we know the total is 14, we can work backward. We will subtract 6 from 14.
- Solve: Subtract 6 from 14. 14 minus 6 equals 8.
- Justify: Let us check if 8 works. We put 8 back into the puzzle: 8 + 6 = 14. This is correct!
- Evaluate: Our plan worked perfectly because addition and subtraction are opposite operations.
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