Common Core: 1st Grade Math : Subtraction within 20 to Solve Word Problems

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 1st Grade Math

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Subtraction Within 20 To Solve Word Problems

Tim’s favorite tree had  branches before the storm last night. He saw  branches in the yard this morning. How many branches are left on the tree? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a subtraction problem because the tree lost branches, so it will have less than what it started with. 

We can start at  and count back 

Example Question #432 : Adding And Subtracting Within 20

Megan has  markers. Ben only has  markers so Megan lets Ben have  of her markers. How many markers does Megan have left? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a subtraction problem because Megan is giving some of her markers away, so she will have less than what she started with. 

We can start at  and count back .

Example Question #2 : Subtraction Within 20 To Solve Word Problems

The toy panda weighs  pounds less than the toy truck. The truck weighs  pounds, how much does the panda weigh? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a subtraction problem because we are finding the difference in weight between the truck and the panda. 

We can start at  and count back .

Example Question #4 : Subtraction Within 20 To Solve Word Problems

Jess has  t-shirts in her drawer. This week she has worn  of her t-shirts. How many are left in the drawer? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a subtraction problem because Jess has worn some of her shirts, so her total number of shirts in the drawer is decreasing.

 

We can start at  and count back .

 

Example Question #5 : Subtraction Within 20 To Solve Word Problems

Cassie picked  flowers outside. She gave  to her mom, and she wants to give the rest to her sister. How many does she have left for her sister? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a subtraction problem because Cassie gave some of her flowers away, so she will have less than what she started with. 

We can start at  and count back .

Example Question #2 : Subtraction Within 20 To Solve Word Problems

Mark has  coins in his pocket. When he gets them out, he drops all but  of them. How many coins did he drop? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a subtraction problem because Mark dropped some of his coins so he has less than what he started with. 

We can start at  and count back .

Example Question #3 : Subtraction Within 20 To Solve Word Problems

Toby has  toys in his toy bin. At the end of the day, he has  toys remaining in the bin. How many did he take out? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a subtraction problem because Toby took toys out of the bin, so he is decreasing the number of toys in his bin. 

We can start at  and count back .

 

Example Question #4 : Subtraction Within 20 To Solve Word Problems

Ally has  pieces of her Halloween candy left. She decides to share  pieces with her sister. How many pieces does she have left? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a subtraction problem because Ally is giving some of her candy away, so she will have less than what she started with. 

We can start at  and count back .

Example Question #5 : Subtraction Within 20 To Solve Word Problems

David sees  apples on the apple tree. If he picks  of them, how many will be left? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a subtraction problem because David is taking away apples. 

We can start at  and count back .

Example Question #2 : Subtraction Within 20 To Solve Word Problems

On Christmas Eve morning, a tree lot had  trees left to sell. By the end of the day, they had only  trees left. How many did they sell? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a subtraction problem because the tree lot is getting rid of trees, so they have less by the end of the day. 

We can start at  and count back .

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors