Subtraction Within 10
Grade 1 - Math - Building Confidence
Worksheet 12 - 1 = ____
2 - 2 = ____
5 - 2 = ____
4 - 0 = ____
3 - 0 = ____
5 - 4 = ____
2 - 0 = ____
4 - 1 = ____
6 - 5 = ____
4 - 2 = ____
Grade 1 - Math
Grade 1 Subtraction Within 10 Worksheet
6 printable versions - Building Confidence - About 5 minutes each
Worksheet 1About this worksheet
Subtraction within ten is harder for most children than addition, partly because counting backwards is less practised than counting forwards and partly because take-away language is less familiar. This worksheet shows several questions as a group of objects with some crossed out, which is the clearest model of take-away for a six year old, and leaves the rest as number sentences so your child moves between the picture and the symbols. Two special cases appear on purpose: subtracting zero, which children often think must change the number, and subtracting a number from itself, which leaves nothing at all. Both look trivial to an adult and genuinely puzzle a child the first few times they meet them. If counting back is slow, let your child count the objects that are not crossed out instead; that is a correct method and speed comes later with practice.
What your child will learn
- Subtract within 10 using take-away pictures
- Count back from the starting number
- Understand that subtracting zero leaves the number unchanged
- Recognise that a number minus itself is zero
Worked example
For 9 - 4, start at 9 and count back four: 8, 7, 6, 5. So 9 - 4 = 5.
Common mistake
Counting the crossed-out objects as part of the answer.
Helpful hint
Count only the objects that are left.
Questions parents ask
- What is the most common mistake with subtraction within 10?
- Counting the crossed-out objects as part of the answer.
- How can I help my child with subtraction within 10?
- Count only the objects that are left.
- Are these 1st grade math worksheets free to print?
- Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.