Addition & Subtraction Word Problems — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Amy has 32 beads. She buys 19 more. She has 51 beads now.
The word 'more' tells you to add. 32 + 19 = 51. Add the ones: 2 + 9 = 11, write 1 and carry 1. Add the tens: 3 + 1 + 1 = 5.
2. A farm has 56 chickens. 24 run away. 32 chickens are left.
The word 'left' tells you to subtract. 56 − 24 = 32. Subtract the ones: 6 − 4 = 2. Subtract the tens: 5 − 2 = 3.
3. Raj had 41 cards. He found 38 more. He has 79 cards in all.
The words 'more' and 'in all' tell you to add. 41 + 38 = 79. Add the ones: 1 + 8 = 9. Add the tens: 4 + 3 = 7.
4. There are 73 books on a shelf. 45 are taken. 28 books remain.
The word 'remain' tells you to subtract. 73 − 45 = 28. Regroup: 13 − 5 = 8 in the ones place, then 6 − 4 = 2 in the tens place.
5. A pond has 28 fish. 34 more swim in. Now there are 62 fish.
The word 'more' tells you to add. 28 + 34 = 62. Add the ones: 8 + 4 = 12, write 2 and carry 1. Add the tens: 2 + 3 + 1 = 6.
6. Ella picked 65 flowers. She gave 37 away. She has 28 left.
The words 'gave away' and 'left' tell you to subtract. 65 − 37 = 28. Regroup: 15 − 7 = 8 in the ones place, then 5 − 3 = 2 in the tens place.
7. A box holds 17 red balls and 46 blue balls. It holds 63 balls.
You are combining two groups, so add. 17 + 46 = 63. Add the ones: 7 + 6 = 13, write 3 and carry 1. Add the tens: 1 + 4 + 1 = 6.
8. Dad had 80 nails. He used 52. He has 28 nails now.
The word 'used' tells you to subtract. 80 − 52 = 28. Regroup: 10 − 2 = 8 in the ones place, then 7 − 5 = 2 in the tens place.
9. Luis ate 15 grapes. Then he ate 26 more. He ate 41 grapes total.
The words 'more' and 'total' tell you to add. 15 + 26 = 41. Add the ones: 5 + 6 = 11, write 1 and carry 1. Add the tens: 1 + 2 + 1 = 4.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Sara has 45 stickers. She gives 18 away.
→ 45 − 18 = 27
27 + 35 = 62
A class has 27 boys and 35 girls.
→ 27 + 35 = 62
48 + 34 = 82
Max had 63 coins. He spent 29.
→ 63 − 29 = 34
45 − 18 = 27
Lily read 48 pages then read 34 more.
→ 48 + 34 = 82
63 − 29 = 34
Sara gives away stickers, so subtract: 45 − 18 = 27. A class combines boys and girls, so add: 27 + 35 = 62. Max spent coins, so subtract: 63 − 29 = 34. Lily read more pages, so add: 48 + 34 = 82.