Primary 4 maths · Data & graphs · About 10 minutes
Complete tables from given data
Add the known values, then compare that with the stated total.
Start the interactive lesson →Open practice activity
What you will learn
- Complete tables from given data
Models used: number sentences, stories, tables.
Before you start
Complete the missing table entry
There are 8 pieces of fruit. Three are apples; the rest are pears. Fill in the missing count.
Fruit counts. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Read the headings first. The first column names the fruit; the second gives its count.
Fruit counts Fruit Number of pieces Apples 3 Pears ? Total 8 The row we are reading. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Find the Pears row, then move across to the count column. Keep the row and heading together.
The row we are reading Fruit Number of pieces Pears ? The complete bar is the whole. Each labelled section is one part of it.
The total is 8 and the apple part is 3. The pear part must be 8 − 3.
8 − 3 = 5
Check the total. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Check the completed table: both fruit counts add to the total.
3 + 5 = 8
Check the total Fruit Number of pieces Apples 3 Pears 5 Total 8
What did the picture help us see?
Check the completed table: both fruit counts add to the total.
Worked example: A new example, together
The total is 180. Complete the missing value for Pears.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Apples | 60 |
| Pears | ? |
| Mangoes | 10 |
| Oranges | 60 |
Total count: 180. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Add the known values, then compare that with the stated total.
Every table entry contributes once to the total.
Total count: 180 Category Count Apples 60 Pears ? Mangoes 10 Oranges 60 Total count: 180. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Add the known entries: 60 + 10 + 60 = 130.
Total count: 180 Category Count Apples 60 Pears ? Mangoes 10 Oranges 60 The total is 180. Complete the missing value for Pears.
50
Total count: 180. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Subtract from the stated total.
Total count: 180 Category Count Apples 60 Pears ? Mangoes 10 Oranges 60 Total count: 180. Read each value with the heading above its column.
180 − 130 = 50.
Total count: 180 Category Count Apples 60 Pears ? Mangoes 10 Oranges 60 Total count: 180. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Check the result against the question we started with.
All completed entries sum to 180.
We found 50. Every table entry contributes once to the total.
Total count: 180 Category Count Apples 60 Pears ? Mangoes 10 Oranges 60
Common mistakes to discuss
- Filling the gap with any value. Use the total. If four categories total 180 and three are known, the fourth is what remains.
Check your understanding
- Complete tables from given data
- use a total to recover a missing value in a table
- check the answer against the original quantities and units
Explain your reasoning to an adult, then try a fresh question in the interactive lesson. A result from one attempt is not proof of lasting mastery.
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