Subtraction Word Problems (Grade 1)
Subtraction word problems are short stories where something is taken away from a group. We read the story, find the numbers, and subtract to find how many are left.
In Grade 1, subtraction word problems use numbers up to 20. The stories talk about everyday things like fruits, toys, birds, and friends.
Look for clue words like: left, remaining, take away, gave away, ate, lost, flew away, how many more. These words tell you to subtract.
What is Subtraction Word Problems (Grade 1) - Class 1 Maths (Subtraction (Grade 1))?
A subtraction word problem tells a short story where something is removed from a group or two groups are compared. To solve it, follow these steps:
- Read the story carefully. Read it again if needed.
- Find the starting number — this is the bigger number (how many you had first).
- Find how many are taken away — this is the smaller number.
- Write the number sentence using the minus sign: starting number − taken away = answer.
- Solve and write the answer with the correct unit (apples, birds, coins, etc.).
Starting number − Taken away = How many left
Tip: You can use your fingers, draw pictures, or use a number line to help you subtract.
Types and Properties
There are three main types of subtraction word problems in Grade 1:
| Type | What It Means | Clue Words | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take Away | Some things leave or are removed from a group. | ate, lost, gave away, flew away, broke, fell, spent | Ria had 9 sweets. She ate 3. How many are left? |
| How Many More | Two groups are compared to find the difference. | how many more, how many fewer, difference between | Aman has 7 pencils. Kavi has 4. How many more does Aman have? |
| How Many Left | Something leaves and we count what stays behind. | left, remaining, still has, stayed | 10 birds sat on a tree. 6 flew away. How many are left? |
All three types use subtraction. The clue words help you pick the right type.
Solved Examples
Example 1: Ria's Mangoes
Question: Ria has 8 mangoes. She gives 3 mangoes to her friend. How many mangoes are left with Ria?
Think:
- Ria starts with 8 mangoes.
- She gives away 3 mangoes. The clue words are "gives" → we take away.
- Number sentence: 8 − 3 = ?
Count back from 8: 7, 6, 5.
Answer: Ria has 5 mangoes left.
Example 2: Birds on a Tree
Question: 10 birds sit on a tree. 4 birds fly away. How many birds are still on the tree?
Think:
- Start: 10 birds on the tree.
- 4 birds fly away → take away.
- Number sentence: 10 − 4 = ?
You can show this on a number line:
0 — 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 ← 7 ← 8 ← 9 ← 10
Start at 10 and jump back 4 times. You land on 6.
Answer: 6 birds are still on the tree.
Example 3: Aman's Stickers
Question: Aman has 12 stickers. He gives 5 stickers to Kavi. How many stickers does Aman have now?
Think:
- Aman starts with 12 stickers.
- He gives away 5 stickers → take away.
- Number sentence: 12 − 5 = ?
Use your fingers: start at 12, count back 5 → 11, 10, 9, 8, 7.
Answer: Aman has 7 stickers now.
Check: 7 + 5 = 12. Correct!
Example 4: Priya's Chapatis
Question: There are 6 chapatis on a plate. Priya eats 2 chapatis. How many chapatis are left on the plate?
Think:
- Start: 6 chapatis on the plate.
- Priya eats 2 → take away.
- Number sentence: 6 − 2 = ?
Draw 6 circles for chapatis. Cross out 2. Count what is left: 1, 2, 3, 4.
Answer: 4 chapatis are left on the plate.
Example 5: Coins in a Box
Question: Aditi has 9 coins in her piggy bank. She takes out 6 coins to buy a pencil. How many coins are still in the piggy bank?
Think:
- Start: 9 coins in the piggy bank.
- Takes out 6 coins → take away.
- Number sentence: 9 − 6 = ?
Count back from 9: 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3.
Answer: 3 coins are still in the piggy bank.
Check: 3 + 6 = 9. Correct!
Example 6: Children on a School Bus
Question: 15 children are on a school bus. At the first stop, 7 children get off. How many children are still on the bus?
Think:
- Start: 15 children on the bus.
- 7 children get off → take away.
- Number sentence: 15 − 7 = ?
Break it into steps: 15 − 5 = 10, then 10 − 2 = 8.
Answer: 8 children are still on the bus.
Check: 8 + 7 = 15. Correct!
Example 7: How Many More — Pencils
Question: Dev has 9 pencils. Neha has 5 pencils. How many more pencils does Dev have than Neha?
Think:
- Dev has 9 pencils. Neha has 5 pencils.
- "How many more" → we compare by subtracting the smaller from the bigger.
- Number sentence: 9 − 5 = ?
Count up from 5 to 9: 6, 7, 8, 9 → that is 4 jumps.
Answer: Dev has 4 more pencils than Neha.
Example 8: Cricket Runs
Question: Arjun's team needs 14 runs to win the cricket match. They score 8 runs. How many more runs do they need?
Think:
- Runs needed to win: 14.
- Runs already scored: 8.
- "How many more" → subtract to find the difference.
- Number sentence: 14 − 8 = ?
Break it into steps: 14 − 4 = 10, then 10 − 4 = 6.
Answer: Arjun's team needs 6 more runs to win.
Check: 8 + 6 = 14. Correct!
Real-World Applications
Where do we use subtraction word problems every day?
- Sharing with friends: When you give away some of your toys, sweets, or crayons and want to know how many you still have.
- At the shop: When you spend some money and want to know how much money is left in your pocket.
- At lunch time: When some food is eaten and you count how many chapatis, biscuits, or fruits remain on the plate.
- On the playground: When some children leave a game and you count how many are still playing.
- Comparing groups: When you want to know how many more stickers your friend has than you, or how many fewer books are on one shelf than another.
Every time something goes away or you compare two amounts, you are using subtraction!
Key Points to Remember
- Read the story carefully at least once before solving. Find the starting number and what is taken away.
- Clue words for take away: ate, lost, gave away, flew away, broke, fell, spent, used.
- Clue words for comparing: how many more, how many fewer, difference between.
- Always write the number sentence first: bigger number − smaller number = answer.
- The answer must include the unit — say "5 mangoes" not just "5".
- Check your answer by adding back: if the answer plus the number taken away gives the starting number, you are correct.
- You can use fingers, drawings, or a number line to help you subtract.
- In Grade 1, all numbers in subtraction word problems are between 0 and 20.
Practice Problems
- Meera has 11 balloons. 4 balloons pop. How many balloons does Meera have now?
- There are 13 children playing in a park. 6 children go home. How many children are still in the park?
- Rahul has 9 crayons. He gives 3 crayons to Aditi. How many crayons does Rahul have left?
- A tiffin box has 7 biscuits. Kavi eats 5 biscuits. How many biscuits are still in the tiffin box?
- Dev has 10 marbles. Arjun has 4 marbles. How many more marbles does Dev have than Arjun?
- There are 16 sweets on a plate. 9 sweets are eaten at a birthday party. How many sweets are left on the plate?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is a subtraction word problem?
It is a short story where something is taken away from a group, or two groups are compared. You subtract to find how many are left or how many more one group has than the other.
Q2. How do I know when to subtract in a word problem?
Subtract when the story uses words like: left, remaining, take away, gave away, ate, lost, flew away, broke, how many more, or how many fewer. These clue words tell you to use subtraction.
Q3. What is the difference between a take-away problem and a comparing problem?
In a take-away problem, things leave the group and you find how many stay. In a comparing problem, you have two groups and find how many more or fewer one group has. Both use subtraction.
Q4. Should I always subtract the smaller number from the bigger number?
Yes. In Grade 1, always take the smaller number away from the bigger number. For example, in 9 − 4 = 5, we take 4 away from 9.
Q5. How can I check if my subtraction answer is correct?
Add your answer to the number you took away. If you get the starting number back, your answer is correct. For 8 − 3 = 5, check: 5 + 3 = 8.
Q6. What if I get confused by the story?
Draw a picture. Show all the objects in the group. Then cross out the ones that go away. Count what is left. You can also use a number line and jump backwards.
Q7. Can subtraction word problems use numbers bigger than 10?
Yes. In Grade 1, subtraction word problems can use numbers up to 20. The same steps work: read the story, find the numbers, subtract, and write the answer with the unit.
Q8. How is a subtraction word problem different from an addition word problem?
In an addition word problem, two groups come together and the total gets bigger. In a subtraction word problem, something is removed and the total gets smaller. Look for clue words to decide which operation to use.
