Addition & Subtraction Word Problems Within 20 — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Ben has 11 toy cars. He loses 4. How many left? 7
Ben loses toy cars, so we subtract: 11 - 4 = 7 toy cars left.
2. A pond has 8 ducks. 6 more swim in. How many now? 14
More ducks swim in, so we add: 8 + 6 = 14 ducks in the pond now.
3. Maya has 15 beads. She gives 9 away. How many remain? 6
Giving away means taking away, so we subtract: 15 - 9 = 6 beads remain.
4. There are 7 cats. 5 more come. How many total? 12
More cats come, so we put both groups together: 7 + 5 = 12 cats total.
5. Jake has 13 blocks. He uses 8. How many left? 5
Using blocks takes them from the pile, so we subtract: 13 - 8 = 5 blocks left.
6. A tree has 6 birds. 9 more land. How many now? 15
More birds land on the tree, so we add: 6 + 9 = 15 birds now.
7. Emma has 17 coins. She spends 8. How many remain? 9
Spending coins means they are gone, so we subtract: 17 - 8 = 9 coins remain.
8. There are 4 bees. 8 more arrive. How many total? 12
More bees arrive, so we add: 4 + 8 = 12 bees total.
9. A jar has 16 candies. You take 7. How many left? 9
Taking candies out means fewer are in the jar: 16 - 7 = 9 candies left.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
5 + 9
→ 14
14
18 - 6
→ 12
12
7 + 8
→ 15
15
20 - 3
→ 17
17
Correct matches: 5 + 9 → 14; 18 - 6 → 12; 7 + 8 → 15; 20 - 3 → 17.