K5Print Free printable worksheets for K–5

10 printable sets · answer key on every set

Subtraction Word Problems Worksheets

  • CCSS 1.OA.A.1
  • 12 problems per set
  • Answer key included

What this skill is

Reading a story where some are given away or fall off and finding how many are left.

When it comes up: The second half of first grade, after subtracting within 20.

The mistake to watch for

Adding the two numbers because both appear in the story. Words like “gives away” and “fall off” mean the amount gets smaller.

How to help

Draw the starting amount, cross out the ones that leave, and count what is left before writing the number sentence.

Next: Two-step word problems in second grade.

A worked example

There are 15 shells on a shelf. 6 shells fall off. How many are still on the shelf? Some went away, so subtract: 15 − 6 = 9 shells.

Words to know

subtract
To take one number away from another to find how many are left.
minus
The sign ( − ) that means take away.
left
What remains after some are taken away.
difference
The answer you get when you subtract.
remain
To be left after some are taken away.

Practice

Read the story. Write the answer.

Showing Set 1 · 12 problems

  1. There are 11 cookies on a shelf. 6 cookies fall off. How many cookies are still on the shelf?
  2. Mia has 13 marbles. Mia gives away 5 marbles. How many marbles does Mia have left?
  3. There are 11 marbles on a shelf. 3 marbles fall off. How many marbles are still on the shelf?
  4. Mia has 14 marbles. Mia gives away 6 marbles. How many marbles does Mia have left?
  5. There are 20 balloons on a shelf. 17 balloons fall off. How many balloons are still on the shelf?
  6. Max has 11 marbles. Max gives away 9 marbles. How many marbles does Max have left?
  7. There are 16 cookies on a shelf. 15 cookies fall off. How many cookies are still on the shelf?
  8. Lily has 16 cards. Lily gives away 14 cards. How many cards does Lily have left?
  9. Zoe has 19 books. Zoe gives away 11 books. How many books does Zoe have left?
  10. There are 14 books on a shelf. 10 books fall off. How many books are still on the shelf?
  11. Sam has 11 cookies. Sam gives away 7 cookies. How many cookies does Sam have left?
  12. There are 17 cookies on a shelf. 10 cookies fall off. How many cookies are still on the shelf?

Download this set12 problems · answer key included PDF

Answer key
  1. 5
  2. 8
  3. 8
  4. 8
  5. 3
  6. 2
  7. 1
  8. 2
  9. 8
  10. 4
  11. 4
  12. 7

All 10 sets

Each set is a different list of 12 problems with its own answer key. Use the buttons above to look at one on this page, or download any of them as a PDF.

How these sheets were made
  • Problems are generated for each set and checked against 1.OA.A.1 before the sheet is built — no duplicates, and every problem falls inside the standard's number range.

Common Core State Standards © 2010 National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.