Subtraction Word Problems
Three kinds of subtraction story on one page: taking away (gave some to a friend), what is left (some were sold), and comparing (how many more does one child have). The comparison problems are the ones students get wrong most, because nothing is taken away, so they are mixed in rather than kept on a separate page. Numbers to 20, 100 or 1,000 by setting.
Ready-made PDFs
One-click downloads, answer key included, a different puzzle in each.
FAQ
Why are the comparison problems on the same page?
Because how many more is subtraction too, and students who only see take-away stories add when they meet it. Seeing the three kinds together is what builds the habit of reading the question before choosing the operation.
What does the answer key show?
The number sentence for each problem (12 + 5 = 17) and the answer with its unit, in green. The number sentence is the part worth checking: a student who wrote 5 + 12 has understood the problem, one who wrote 12 − 5 has not.
Why are the names repeated instead of using he or she?
The problems name the child again instead of guessing a pronoun. Names come from a mixed pool of about forty, so a class will see itself in the pages more often than in a textbook.
Can I get different versions for each student?
Turn on the 5 versions switch before downloading. You get five different sheets in one PDF, each with its own answer key, so neighbouring desks cannot copy.
Where do the problems come from?
They are built from templates with pools of names, objects and situations, and the numbers are drawn fresh each time, so the same page never repeats. The wording is deliberately plain: the math should be the hard part, not the reading.
Is there room to show the work?
Yes. Six or eight problems per page leave a blank block under each one for the drawing, the number sentence and the answer line; ten per page is a review layout with less space.
Can students work these on a tablet?
Yes. Practice online puts a pen tool over the same sheet, so the working can be written with a stylus or finger and wiped for another try.
How do I print this word problems worksheet?
Click Download PDF and print at 100% scale. The page is already sized for US Letter with printer-safe margins, so no fit-to-page fiddling is needed.