This grade 1 subtraction worksheet answer key solves all 22 problems of the subtraction within 20 worksheet step by step.
Here are the full worked answers for the Grade 1 subtraction worksheet. Each answer shows the strategy: counting back, thinking of a missing addend, or using a fact family. Read each step with the child, then let the child try a similar problem alone.
Grade 1 Subtraction Worksheet Answer Key: problems 1–5
Problem 1: Take away a picture
Start with 8. Take away 3. Count the grapes that are not crossed out: 5.
\(8-3=5\)
Problem 2: Ten frame take away
There are 9 counters in all. Four are crossed out. Five are left.
\(9-4=5\)
Problem 3: Find the differences
- \(7-2=5\)
- \(10-6=4\)
- \(8-0=8\). Taking away 0 changes nothing.
- \(6-6=0\). Taking away all leaves 0.
5, 4, 8, 0
Problem 4: Doubles help
- \(5+5=10\), so \(10-5=5\).
- \(7+7=14\), so \(14-7=7\).
- \(9+9=18\), so \(18-9=9\).
5, 7, 9
Problem 5: Count back on a number line
Hop back one step at a time: 11, 10, 9, 8. You land on 8.
\(12-4=8\)
Grade 1 Subtraction Worksheet Answer Key: problems 6–10
Problem 6: Count back
Start at 15. Count back 3: 14, 13, 12.
\(15-3=12\)
Problem 7: Think addition with a bar
Ask: 7 plus what number makes 10? Count up from 7: 8, 9, 10. That is 3 counts. Check: \(7+3=10\).
\(10-7=3\)
Problem 8: Missing addend
Count up from 9 to 12: 10, 11, 12. That is 3 counts, so \(9+3=12\).
3, and \(12-9=3\)
Problem 9: Subtract by making a ten
Split 8 into 3 and 5. Take away 3 first: \(13-3=10\). Then take away 5: \(10-5=5\).
5, 5, 5
Problem 10: Fact family of three numbers
The whole is 13. The parts are 6 and 7. Write two addition and two subtraction sentences.
\(6+7=13\), \(7+6=13\), \(13-7=6\), \(13-6=7\)
Grade 1 Subtraction Worksheet Answer Key: problems 11–15
Problem 11: Write the missing sentence
The fourth sentence takes away the other part. Take away 5 from 14.
\(14-5=9\)
Problem 12: Use a related fact
The whole is 15. Take away 7 and 8 is left. Take away 8 and 7 is left.
\(15-7=8\) and \(15-8=7\)
Problem 13: Missing numbers
- \(9+7=16\), so the missing number is 7.
- \(5+6=11\), so the missing number is 6.
- \(8+3=11\), so the missing number is 11.
7, 6, 11
Problem 14: Circle the sixes
\(14-8=6\), \(15-8=7\), \(13-7=6\), \(12-5=7\).
\(14-8\) and \(13-7\)
Problem 15: Mixed differences
- \(16-8=8\)
- \(17-10=7\)
- \(15-9=6\)
- \(19-4=15\)
8, 7, 6, 15
Grade 1 Subtraction Worksheet Answer Key: problems 16–20
Problem 16: Cubes: how many more?
Match the cubes one to one. Four of Mei’s cubes have no match. Check: \(5+4=9\).
\(9-5=4\), so Mei has 4 more cubes
Problem 17: Grapes
Take away: \(15-6\). Think \(6+9=15\).
\(15-6=9\), so 9 grapes are left
Problem 18: Stickers given away
Ask: 8 plus what makes 14? Count up: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. That is 6. Check: \(8+6=14\).
\(14-8=6\), so she gave away 6 stickers
Problem 19: Cards: how many fewer?
Find the difference: \(12-7\). Think \(7+5=12\).
\(12-7=5\), so Sofia has 5 fewer cards
Problem 20: Fish in a tank
Subtract the orange fish: \(13-8\). Think \(8+5=13\).
\(13-8=5\), so 5 fish are yellow
Grade 1 Subtraction Worksheet Answer Key: problems 21–22
Problem 21: Crackers
The crackers he ate and the crackers left make the start: \(9+4=13\). Check: \(13-4=9\).
13 crackers
Problem 22: Pencils for friends
First: \(19-6=13\). Next: \(13-5=8\). Check another way: \(6+5=11\) and \(19-11=8\).
8 pencils
How to use this grade 1 subtraction worksheet answer key
Read this grade 1 subtraction worksheet answer key after trying each problem yourself, and redo any problem you missed.
Printable PDF · Worksheet Answer Key
Grade 1 Subtraction Within 20 worksheet answer key
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