Subtraction Within 20
Grade 1 - Math - Building Confidence
Worksheet 111 - 9 = ____
12 - 9 = ____
12 - 7 = ____
13 - 8 = ____
14 - 2 = ____
12 - 1 = ____
11 - 4 = ____
13 - 12 = ____
13 - 5 = ____
14 - 9 = ____
Grade 1 - Math
Grade 1 Subtraction Within 20 Worksheet
6 printable versions - Building Confidence - About 5 minutes each
Worksheet 1About this worksheet
Subtracting from a teen number is where many first graders slow down, because the answer often requires crossing back through ten. Taking four from fifteen means counting back past the ten boundary, and children who are completely secure within ten frequently stumble here for the first time. One useful route is to subtract down to ten first and then take away whatever remains, which mirrors the make-ten strategy used in addition. Another is to treat subtraction as a missing addend and count up from the smaller number until you reach the larger one. This worksheet deliberately includes both the easier cases that stay above ten and the harder cases that cross it, so you can see quickly which kind your child finds difficult. Pictures support some questions; the rest are plain number sentences.
What your child will learn
- Subtract from numbers up to 20
- Cross back through ten, for example 15 - 7
- Subtract to ten first, then take away the rest
- Relate subtraction to a missing addition fact
Worked example
For 15 - 7, take 5 to reach 10, then take the remaining 2: 10 - 2 = 8.
Common mistake
Counting back past ten one number too far or not far enough.
Helpful hint
Stop at ten on the way down, then keep going.
Questions parents ask
- What is the most common mistake with subtraction within 20?
- Counting back past ten one number too far or not far enough.
- How can I help my child with subtraction within 20?
- Stop at ten on the way down, then keep going.
- 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.