Skill: Solve one-step subtraction word problems

When a problem tells you that some things are taken away, find the difference, or asks how many are left, use subtraction.

Look for:

• Starting amount: how many there were at first
• Amount taken away: how many were used, given away, or removed
• Remaining amount: how many are left

Example:
Mia has 563 stickers. She gives 278 stickers to her friends. How many stickers does she have left?

1. The starting amount is $563$.
2. The amount taken away is $278$.
3. Write a subtraction equation:

$$563-278=\Box$$

4. Subtract by place value. Since $3$ ones is less than $8$ ones, regroup $1$ ten as $10$ ones:

$$\begin{array}{r} 563\\ - 278\\ \hline \end{array}$$

• Ones: $13-8=5$
• Tens: After regrouping, $5$ tens becomes $4$ tens. Regroup $1$ hundred as $10$ tens, so $14-7=7$.
• Hundreds: $4-2=2$

So,

$$563-278=285$$

Mia has 285 stickers left. Check that your answer makes sense: taking away 278 from 563 should leave fewer than 563.