Subtraction Word Problems up to Twenty—Let's Practise!
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Subtraction Word Problems up to Twenty – Introduction
Get ready because today we're going to practise subtraction word problems up to twenty. It’s a great way to understand subtraction better by using number sentences and drawings. Ready to begin? Let's go!
What Are Subtraction Word Problems?
Subtraction word problems are maths problems written in words where you have to subtract one number from another to find the answer.
For example, if you have 18 cookies and give away 14, you can write a number sentence to solve the problem. Let’s practise this with some fun problems!
Subtraction Word Problems – Example
Let's solve a problem using subtraction word problems:
Problem
There are 18 cookies. Kami gives 14 to her friends. How many cookies are left?
Solution
Follow these simple steps to find the solution.
| Step | Explanation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Write the number sentence | 18 - 14 = ? | |
| Draw 18 circles | Draw 18 circles to represent the cookies | |
| Cross off 14 circles | Cross off 14 circles to represent the cookies given away | |
| Count the remaining circles | Count the circles that are left | 4 |
So, 18 minus 14 equals 4! Kami has 4 cookies left.
Subtraction Word Problems – Guided Practice
Let's try another problem together.
Problem
Rowan has 12 crayons. They let Xen borrow 3. How many crayons does Rowan have now?
So, 12 minus 3 equals 9! Rowan has 9 crayons left.
Subtraction Word Problems – Application
Now, try solving this problem on your own:
Problem Dorian has 9 squishies. Peyton has 6 squishies. How many more squishies does Dorian have?
So, 9 minus 6 equals 3! Dorian has 3 more squishies than Peyton.
Subtraction Word Problems – Examples
To help yourself become fluent in solving subtraction word problems, have a look at some more examples and complete them by following the steps.
| Problem | Number Sentence | Draw Circles | Cross Off Circles | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kami has 20 cookies, gives away 15 | 20 - 15 = ? | Draw 20 circles | Cross off 15 circles | 5 |
| Rowan has 14 crayons, lends 5 | 14 - 5 = ? | Draw 14 circles | Cross off 5 circles | 9 |
| Dorian has 11 squishies, Peyton has 7 | 11 - 7 = ? | Draw 11 circles | Cross off 7 circles | 4 |
| Liam has 18 apples, eats 8 | 18 - 8 = ? | Draw 18 circles | Cross off 8 circles | 10 |
Subtraction Word Problems – Summary
Key Learnings from this Text:
- Subtraction word problems help us understand subtraction in real-life situations.
- Write a number sentence to represent the problem.
- Use drawings to visualise the subtraction.
- Cross off the appropriate number of items and count the remaining ones to find the solution.
Keep practising solving subtraction word problems to become a maths whiz! Check out more fun maths problems and activities on our website, such as subtraction using a number line, subtraction by counting on or using place value to subtract.
Subtraction Word Problems – Frequently Asked Questions
Transcript Subtraction Word Problems up to Twenty—Let's Practise!
Razzi says get these items ready because today we're going to practise Subtraction Word Problems up to Twenty. It's time to begin! Write a number sentence and use drawings to solve the word problem. There are eighteen cookies. Kami gives fourteen to her friends. How many cookies are left?
Since Kami started with eighteen cookies and gave fourteen away. The number sentence is eighteen minus fourteen equals something. Now draw eighteen circles and cross off fourteen. Finally, count how many are left. Did you also get four? Let's tackle the next problem! Write a number sentence and use drawings to solve the word problem. Rowan has twelve crayons. They let Xen borrow three. How many crayons does Rowan have now?
Since Rowan started with twelve crayons and let Xen borrow three, the number sentence is twelve minus three equals something. Now draw twelve circles and cross off three. Finally, count how many are left. Did you also get nine? Let's try one more! Write a number sentence and use drawings to solve the word problem. Dorian has nine squishies. Peyton has six squishies. How many more squishies does Dorian have?
Since Dorian has nine squishies and Peyton has six, the number sentence is nine minus six equals something. Now draw nine circles and cross off six. Finally, count how many are left. Did you also get three? Razzi had so much fun practising with you today! See you next time!
Subtraction Word Problems up to Twenty—Let's Practise! exercise
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How many party hats are left?
HintsSam started with 12 hats and 10 were taken, so we are subtracting 12 - 10. How can you use the picture to help you?
If we cross 10 hats off, how many are we left with?
SolutionSam would have 2 hats left over.
12 - 10 = 2
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How many toys are left?
HintsCreate a number sentence.
- How many toys did Zak start with?
- How many toys does Zak still have?
The number sentence we are trying to solve is 13 - 7. What could you do to help you solve this?
Try drawing 13 spots and crossing 7 off. How many are left?
SolutionZak would have 6 toys left.
13 - 7 = 6
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Can you solve these problems?
HintsLook for how many pieces of fruit there was to start with. This is the first number in your number sentence.
How many pieces of fruit were eaten? This is the second number in your number sentence.
You can draw pictures and cross some off to help you find the answer.
Solution- There are 5 people in the Smith family. In their fruit bowl there were 11 bananas. On Monday, every member of the family took a banana. How many bananas are left? 6
- Mr. Smith gave his daughter 15 strawberries but she only ate 9. That means there are 6 strawberries left.
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Solve the subtraction problems.
HintsWork out what the number sentence you are trying to solve for each problem is.
Subtract the smaller number in the problem from the larger number.
Draw pictures to help you find the answers.
Solution- Harper had bought 12 sweets with their pocket money. They gave 6 to their brother. Harper had 6 sweets left. 12 - 6 = 6
- Daniel's mum gave him 17 green beans at tea time. Daniel ate 15 beans. There were 2 green beans left. 17 - 15 = 2
- Mo was given 14 one pound coins for his birthday. He spent 8 of them. Now Mo has 6 one pound coins left. 14 - 8 = 6
- Eden has a set of 20 sparkly pens. Sasha has 13. Eden has 7 more pens than Sasha. 20 - 13 = 7
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How many cakes does Betty have left?
HintsBetty started with 8 cakes and sold 5, so we are solving 8 - 5.
How could you use the picture to help you?
You can cross 5 off like this. How many are left?
SolutionBetty has 3 cakes left.
8 - 5 = 3
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The Rainbow Bakery.
HintsWhat is the number sentence you are trying to solve?
Remember, if you are finding the difference, you still use a subtraction equation.
Subtract the smaller number from the larger number.
Draw dots to represent the larger number, then cross off the amount shown by the smaller number. What you have left is your answer.
Solution- It is a busy day at The Rainbow Bakery. There were 19 loaves of bread this morning but 12 have already sold. Now there are 7 loaves left. 19 - 12 = 7
- The rainbow bagels are also a popular choice today! There were 18 at the start of the day and 15 have sold. Now there are only 3 left! 18 - 15 = 3
- The customers think the cakes look delicious! There were 14 at the start of the day and now 5 are left. That means that 9 have been sold. 14 - 5 = 9
- Sarah bought 12 biscuits and Will bought 8. Sarah bought 4 more biscuits than Will. 12 - 8 = 4
- Just before they close for the day, Mrs. Rose popped in and bought 8 of the 15 items that were left. The Rainbow Bakery have finished the day with 7 items left. 15 - 8 = 7
