What these worksheets practise
Subtraction worksheets practise taking one number away from another, first as quick facts and then with the written column method. Each worksheet has 20 problems per page, and you choose how many digits each number has (1 to 5).
The larger number always comes first, so answers are never negative unless negative numbers are switched on. Larger problems involve borrowing (regrouping): when a digit on top is smaller than the digit below it, take one from the next column to the left.
Worked examples
Two digits minus one digit:
Ones: 2 is smaller than 7, so borrow one ten: . Tens: .
Borrowing across a zero:
Ones: 3 is smaller than 8, but the tens digit is 0. Borrow from the hundreds: 403 becomes 3 hundreds, 9 tens and 13 ones. Then , , and .
Check your answers
Add the answer to the number you subtracted: . If it gives back the first number, the subtraction is right.
Common mistakes
- Subtracting the smaller digit from the larger. In , doing in the ones column gives 55 instead of 45.
- Forgetting to reduce the column you borrowed from. After borrowing, the 5 tens are 4 tens.
- Getting stuck on a zero. In , borrow from the hundreds first, then from the tens.
- Lining up from the left. Ones go under ones: the 7 in goes under the 2.
Sample problems
These problems come from the same generator as the worksheet above. Press Generate for a fresh set.
2-digit and 1-digit numbers
3-digit and 1-digit numbers
3-digit and 2-digit numbers
Show answers
- 29
- 55
- 859
- 125
- 303
- 288
Tips for teachers and parents
- Base-ten blocks or bundles of ten straws make borrowing concrete before the written method.
- Checking by addition turns every problem into a self-marking one.
- Pair subtraction with addition worksheets: they are two views of the same fact family.