Addition & Subtraction Word Problems — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. A toy shop had 85 stuffed animals. It sold 37 on Monday and 21 on Tuesday. How many stuffed animals are left?
A) 37
B) 27
C) 31
D) 23
Add the two days of sales (37 + 21 = 58), then subtract the total sold from the starting count: 85 − 58 = 27 stuffed animals still in the shop.
2. Emma collected 29 seashells. She found 34 more at the beach and gave 18 to her brother. How many seashells does Emma have?
A) 55
B) 45
C) 35
D) 41
Add Emma's beach find to her collection (29 + 34 = 63), then subtract the 18 she gave her brother: 63 − 18 = 45 seashells left.
3. A farmer had 68 apples. He gave 25 to a neighbor and picked 19 more. How many apples does the farmer have?
A) 52
B) 72
C) 62
D) 58
Subtract the apples given away first (68 − 25 = 43), then add the ones he picked (43 + 19 = 62 apples in his basket).
4. There were 91 balloons at a party. 44 popped and 12 flew away. How many balloons are left?
A) 35
B) 45
C) 25
D) 39
Add the balloons that were lost (44 + 12 = 56), then subtract that from the starting balloons: 91 − 56 = 35 balloons still floating at the party.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. A pond had 58 frogs. 22 hopped away and 14 jumped in. Now there are 50 frogs.
Subtract the frogs that hopped away first (58 − 22 = 36), then add the new arrivals (36 + 14 = 50 frogs croaking in the pond).
2. Jade had 76 stickers. She traded 31 for new ones and got 18 back. She has 63 stickers now.
Subtract the 31 stickers Jade traded away first (76 − 31 = 45), then add the 18 she received in return (45 + 18 = 63 stickers in her album).
3. A camp had 47 tents. 15 were taken down and 23 new ones were set up. Now there are 55 tents.
Take down the 15 tents first (47 − 15 = 32), then add the 23 new ones that were put up (32 + 23 = 55 tents standing in the camp).
4. Ben scored 38 points in round one and 45 in round two. He lost 26 penalty points. His final score is 57.
Add Ben's two round scores together (38 + 45 = 83), then subtract the 26 penalty points: 83 − 26 = 57 points for his final score.
5. A school had 82 chairs. 36 were moved to the gym and 19 were brought from storage. Now there are 65 chairs.
Subtract the 36 chairs moved out (82 − 36 = 46), then add the 19 brought from storage (46 + 19 = 65 chairs in the school now).