subtraction
Subtraction word problems
Solve take-away, difference and missing-part problems.
Quick answer
Subtraction word problems are stories that help us figure out how much is left when we take something away, how much more one thing is than another, or what part is missing. You can solve them by reading carefully, drawing pictures, or using numbers to show what's happening.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to solve different types of subtraction word problems by using pictures, numbers, or simple maths strategies. Success signs:- You can tell if a problem is about taking away, comparing, or finding a missing part.
- You can use drawings or numbers to show what the problem is asking.
- You can solve problems with up to 20 in the numbers.
- You can check if your answer makes sense in the story.
Why this matters
Subtraction word problems help you understand how numbers work in real life. When you're shopping and need to know how much change you'll get, or when you're sharing toys and want to know how many are left, subtraction helps you figure it out. It's also important for learning more maths later, like division and fractions.How it works
There are three main types of subtraction word problems:- Take-away problems – Something is taken away from a group.
- Difference problems – You compare two amounts to see how much more or less one is.
- Missing-part problems – You know the whole and one part, and you need to find the other part.
Examples you can see
Let’s look at each type of problem with examples. Take-away problem: Sarah had 8 apples. She gave 3 apples to her friend. How many apples does Sarah have now? To solve this, you can draw 8 apples, cross out 3, and count how many are left. Difference problem: Tom has 7 toy cars. Sam has 4 toy cars. How many more toy cars does Tom have than Sam? You can compare the two numbers: 7 – 4 = 3. Tom has 3 more toy cars. Missing-part problem: There are 10 cookies in a jar. 6 cookies are chocolate. How many are vanilla? You know the whole (10) and one part (6). So you find the missing part: 10 – 6 = 4. There are 4 vanilla cookies.Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Great Cookie Hunt! You are on a mission to find the most cookies in the cookie jar. You have a friend, and together you need to solve these problems to get your reward. 1st time: You start with 12 cookies. You eat 5. How many are left? 2nd time: Your friend has 9 cookies. You have 6. How many more cookies does your friend have? 3rd time: There are 15 cookies in a box. 7 are chocolate chip. How many are not chocolate chip? 4th time: You have 10 cookies. You give 4 to your little brother. How many do you have now? 5th time: You and your friend share 14 cookies. You eat 6. How many are left for your friend?Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking you should add instead of subtract when the problem says "take away".
Why it happens: The words "take away" might sound like they mean to put more together.
Fix: Look for words like "left", "more", "less", or "how many are left?" to know you need to subtract. - Mistake: Not reading the whole problem.
Why it happens: You might jump to an answer too quickly.
Fix: Read the problem twice and ask, "What am I trying to find?" - Mistake: Confusing "how many more" with "how many less".
Why it happens: These phrases sound similar.
Fix: Draw a picture or write the numbers to compare them.
Parent and carer guide
Help your child by:- Reading the problem together and asking, "What is the story about?"
- Encouraging them to draw a picture or use counters (like coins or blocks) to help solve the problem.
- Letting them explain their thinking out loud – this helps them learn.
- Checking that their answer makes sense in the story.
- Not worrying if they get it wrong at first – that's how we learn!
Practice questions
- There were 10 birds on a tree. 3 flew away. How many birds are left?
- Jamie has 15 stickers. He gave 7 to his sister. How many does he have now?
- There are 12 pencils in a box. 5 are red. How many are not red?
- Lily had 14 marbles. She lost 6. How many does she have now?
- Tom has 9 toy cars. Sam has 5 toy cars. How many more does Tom have?
- 10 – 3 = 7 birds
- 15 – 7 = 8 stickers
- 12 – 5 = 7 pencils
- 14 – 6 = 8 marbles
- 9 – 5 = 4 more toy cars
FAQ
What is a subtraction word problem?
A subtraction word problem is a story that uses numbers and words to ask how much is left, how much more one thing is than another, or what part is missing.
How do I know if a problem is about subtraction?
Look for words like "left", "take away", "how many more", "how many less", or "how many are not". These clues help you know that subtraction is needed.
Can I use drawings to solve subtraction problems?
Yes! Drawing pictures or using objects like blocks or counters helps you understand what is happening in the story.
What if I don’t understand the problem?
Read it again, ask someone to help, or draw a picture. You can also try to act it out or use real objects to help you see what's happening.
Why do we learn subtraction word problems?
We learn them so we can solve problems in everyday life, like sharing toys, counting money, or knowing how much time is left. It helps us think logically and use maths in real situations.