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Solve one-step subtraction word problems

This skill involves interpreting one-step situations involving taking away, finding a difference, or determining an unknown part, and representing the relationship with subtraction or a related addition equation. The quantities are whole numbers through 1,000, including problems requiring place-value regrouping, and may be represented with equations, bar models, or number lines; the context determines whether the answer is a remaining amount, a comparison, or a missing quantity. Multi-step problems, fractions, decimals, and generalized algebraic cases are beyond this scope.

Detailed Explanation: 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 563563.
  2. The amount taken away is 278278.
  3. Write a subtraction equation:
563−278=□563-278=\Box
  1. Subtract by place value. Since 33 ones is less than 88 ones, regroup 11 ten as 1010 ones:
563−278\begin{array}{r} 563\\ - 278\\ \hline \end{array}
  • Ones: 13−8=513-8=5
  • Tens: After regrouping, 55 tens becomes 44 tens. Regroup 11 hundred as 1010 tens, so 14−7=714-7=7.
  • Hundreds: 4−2=24-2=2

So,

563−278=285563-278=285

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

Learn by doing: Solve one-step subtraction word problems

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    Picture Numbers - Subtracting - Picture and Instruction to Word (Within 20)

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