SSC CGL Exam  >  SSC CGL Notes  >   Tier 2 - Study Material, Online Tests, Previous Year  >  Missing Number in box problems

Missing Number in box problems

Problem 1

Find the missing number ?
Problem 1

a) 27
b) 24
c) 18
d) 23

Step 1. 

Subtract the number in first column from the number in third column of every row. i. e. C3 - C1 = S

Step 2 . 

Multiply the the above difference with 3 to get the numbers in second column of every row i. e. C2 = 3S.
1st row    3 (48 - 28 ) = 3 × 20  = 60
2nd row 3 (7 - 5)  = 2 × 3 = 6
3rd row 3(27 - 14) = 3 × 13 = 39
4th row 3(16 - 7 ) = 3 × 9 = 27
Hence required number is 27
Option (A) 27 is correct option

Problem 2

Find the missing number ?

Problem 2a) 4
b) 3
c) 5
d) 6

 Every number in fourth row has been written as the square of all the numbers in 1st three rows in any particular column. 

Take the square of addition of  the elements of 1st three rows of 1st column like this
(1 + 4 + 2 )² = 7² = 49
Take the Take the square of addition of  the elements of 1st three rows of 1st column like this
(4 + 2 + 2 )² = 8² = 64
Take the square of addition of  the elements of 1st three rows of 1st column like this
(? + 5 + 3 )² = (? + 8 )² = 169
(? + 8 )² = (13)² = 169 , Taking Square root
? + 8 = 13
? = 13 - 5 
? = 5
So required number will be 5
Option (C) 5 is correct option

Problem 3

Find the missing number ?

Problem 3

a) 20
b) 13
c) 12
d) 10

Multiply all the numbers in the first three rows of every column and then divide the product by 2 to get the number in last row like this
(5×2×8)÷2 = 80÷2 = 40 ( Last number in 1st column )
(5×4×3)÷2 = 60÷2 = 30 ( Last number in 2nd column )
(2×1×10)÷2 = 20÷2 = 10 ( Last number in 3rd column )
So required number will be 10
Option (D)10 is correct option.

Problem 4

Find the missing number ?

Problem 4

a) 1
b) 2
c) 4
d) 3

Adding both the numbers in second and third rows then multiply it with the number in First row to get the number in last row ,the process will be  repeated for all the three columns
( 6 + 7 ) × 5 = 65
( 3 + 2 ) × 4 = 20
( ? + 4 ) × 9 = 45
This implies ( ? + 4 ) = 45/9 = 5
? = 5 - 4 = 1
Hence required number is 1
Option (A) 1 is correct option.

Problem 5

Find the missing number ?

Problem 5

a) 24
b) 22
c) 20
d) 19

Decrease the numbers in first  columns of every row by 1 then multiply it to get the number in third column of every row.
1st Row  ( 8 - 1) ×  3  = 7 × 3 = 21
2nd Row  ( 6 - 1) ×  5 = 5 × 5 = 25
3rd Row  ( 12 - 1) ×  2 = 11 × 2 = 22
Hence required answer is 22
Option (B) 22  is correct option.

Problem 6

Find the missing number ?

Problem 6

a) 4
b) 3
c) 5
d) 6

Add 1st two rows of each column to multiply with the number in 3rd column to get fourth number in every row.
(5 + 4 ) × 2 = 9 × 2 = 18 (1st column 3rd row )
(6 + 3 ) × 3   = 9 × 3 = 27 ( 2nd column 3rd row )
(12 + 4 ) × ?  = 16 × ? = 96 (3rd column 3rd row )
16 × ? = 96
? = 6
Hence required number is 6
Option (D) 6  is correct option.

Problem 7

Find the missing number ?

Problem 7

a) 74
b) 63
c) 65
d) 60

First of all multiply  1st three numbers  in every Column then add the sum of 1st three  numbers in every row to  get the numbers in 4th row. i. e. formula for this problem is [ if a, b ,c and d are numbers in any column  then d = abc + (a+b+c) ]
[ ( 3 + 4 + 5) + (3 × 4 × 5 ) ] = 12 + 60 = 72
[ ( 2 + 5 + 6) + (2 × 5 × 6 ) ] = 13 + 60 = 73
[ ( 5 + 9 + 1) + (5 × 9 × 1 ) ] = 15 + 45 = 60
Hence  required number is 60
Option (D)60  is correct option.

Problem 8

Find the missing number ?

Problem 8

a) 24
b) 35
c) 12
d) 37

Decrease both the numbers in first and second columns of every row then multiply the reduced numbers to get the numbers in third column of every row
{ 8 - 1 }×{ 6 - 1 } = 7 × 5 = 35
{ 6 - 1 }×{ 4 - 1 } = 5 × 3 =  15
{ 7 - 1 }×{ 5 - 1 } = 6 × 4 =  24
Hence required number is 24.
Option (A)24  is correct option.

Problem 9

Find the missing number ?

Problem 9

a) 66
b) 24
c) 36
d) 37

Decrease the numbers in first column of every row and increase the numbers in second column of every row when multiplying both the reduced number of first and second column to get the numbers in third column of every row
{ 6 - 1 } × { 8 + 1 } = 5 × 9 = 45
{ 4 - 1 } × { 6 + 1 } = 3 × 7 = 21
{ 7 - 1 } × { 5 + 1 } = 6 × 6 = 36
Hence required number is 36
Option (C)36  is correct option.

Problem 10

Find the missing number ?

Problem 10

a) 7
b) 9
c) 8
d) 6

Total of 1st row is  3 + 6 + 8 = 17
Total of 2nd row is  5 + 6 + 8 = 17
Total of 3rd row is  4 + 7 + ? = 17
Therefore replacing ? with 6 to get required answer.
Option (D)6  is correct option

The document Missing Number in box problems is a part of the SSC CGL Course SSC CGL Tier 2 - Study Material, Online Tests, Previous Year.
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FAQs on Missing Number in box problems

1. How do I find the missing number in a box when there's no obvious pattern?
Ans. Missing number box problems rely on hidden mathematical relationships between numbers-addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division applied across rows, columns, or diagonals. Identify which operation connects the given numbers by testing each systematically. Check if the missing element follows a sequence rule, a sum property, or a positional logic. Practising multiple problem variations helps recognise patterns faster during exams.
2. What's the difference between row-based and column-based missing number box patterns?
Ans. Row-based patterns apply operations horizontally across each line, where the missing number completes that specific row's mathematical relationship. Column-based patterns work vertically, with operations flowing downward through each column. Some advanced box problems combine both simultaneously, requiring students to verify the missing number satisfies rules in both directions. Always test which orientation reveals the consistent logic first.
3. Why do some missing number box questions have multiple numbers missing instead of just one?
Ans. Multi-number missing box problems test deeper analytical ability by requiring students to establish the complete pattern before solving. These questions demand identifying the overarching rule governing all positions, then working backwards to calculate each missing value systematically. SSC CGL Tier 2 includes such variations to distinguish candidates who memorise patterns from those understanding underlying logic.
4. Are there specific tricks to solve missing number in box problems faster during the exam?
Ans. Speed comes from recognising common patterns: constant sums in rows or columns, arithmetic progressions, number sequences, and diagonal relationships. Begin by scanning for the simplest operation first-if all rows sum to the same value, that's likely the rule. Use elimination: test one missing number assumption against multiple positions to confirm it works everywhere before finalising answers.
5. How do I approach a box problem when the numbers seem completely random with no clear pattern?
Ans. When patterns appear random, check less obvious relationships: products instead of sums, differences between alternating positions, ratios, or operations involving digits themselves. Examine if numbers relate to their position (row number × column value), or if external sequences like perfect squares or primes are embedded. Sketch the box with annotations; visual organisation often reveals hidden logic instantly.
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