Overview

Grade 1 Math

B2. Operations

11. B2.4 Addition and Subtraction

11.1 Subtraction word problems up to 20

Subtraction Word Problems Up to 20

Turn short stories into subtraction number sentences and solve them confidently using numbers up to 20.

What You'll Learn

Identify key words like left, fewer, and how many more that signal a subtraction word problem

Underline the starting amount and the amount being removed or compared before writing a number sentence

Translate a story into a number sentence such as \( 15 - 8 = 7 \) using numbers up to 20

Distinguish take-away problems from comparison problems that ask how many more or fewer

Solve missing-part problems by subtracting the known part from the whole, like \( 20 - 12 = 8 \)

Check an answer by adding the difference back to the smaller number to see if it rebuilds the total

What You'll Practice

Writing subtraction equations from word problem scenarios

Solving problems about objects rolling away or being removed

Finding how many items are needed when given a total and one part

Why This Matters

Subtraction word problems teach you to recognize math in everyday situations like sharing toys, counting leftover items, or planning activities. This skill builds your problem-solving foundation and helps you make sense of real-world questions involving taking away or finding differences.

This Unit Includes

Practice exercises

Learning resources

Skills

Subtraction

Word Problems

Problem Solving

Numbers to 20

Mathematical Reasoning

ON Curriculum Aligned