The missing digit is in the tens place of the second number.
Let’s solve it step by step.
Step 1: Add the ones column
The rightmost digits are:
3 + 9 = 12
Write 2 in the answer and carry 1 to the tens column.
So the ones column is correct.
Step 2: Add the tens column
Now look at the middle digits:
- Top number: 5
- Missing digit: ?
- Carry: 1
The result in the tens column is 4.
So:
5 + ? + 1 = 14
Why 14?
Because the answer shows 4 in the tens place, meaning the total must end in 4 while carrying 1 into the hundreds column.
Now solve:
5 + ? + 1 = 14
? = 14 − 6 = 8
So the missing number is 8.
Step 3: Check the hundreds column
Now verify:
- 2 (from 253)
- 1 (from 189)
- Carry 1
2 + 1 + 1 = 4
This perfectly matches the hundreds digit of the answer.
