Addition & Subtraction Word Problems — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Kim has 34 stamps. Jo has 21 stamps. Kim has 13 more stamps than Jo.
To find how many more, subtract the smaller from the larger. 34 − 21 = 13. Kim has 13 more stamps than Jo.
2. A shelf has 58 books. Another has 27. Together they have 85 books.
The word 'together' tells you to add. 58 + 27 = 85. Add the ones: 8 + 7 = 15, write 5 and carry 1. Add the tens: 5 + 2 + 1 = 8.
3. Dan scored 43 points. Pam scored 29. Dan scored 14 more points.
To find how many more, subtract. 43 − 29 = 14. Regroup: 13 − 9 = 4 in the ones place, then 3 − 2 = 1 in the tens place.
4. There were 75 apples. 38 were eaten. 37 apples are left.
The word 'left' tells you to subtract. 75 − 38 = 37. Regroup: 15 − 8 = 7 in the ones place, then 6 − 3 = 3 in the tens place.
5. Meg ran 26 laps on Monday and 35 laps on Tuesday. She ran 61 laps in all.
The words 'in all' tell you to add. 26 + 35 = 61. Add the ones: 6 + 5 = 11, write 1 and carry 1. Add the tens: 2 + 3 + 1 = 6.
6. A box has 50 crayons. 14 are broken. 36 crayons are not broken.
To find how many are not broken, subtract. 50 − 14 = 36. Regroup: 10 − 4 = 6 in the ones place, then 4 − 1 = 3 in the tens place.
7. Team A has 42 fans. Team B has 39 fans. Team A has 3 more fans.
To find how many more, subtract. 42 − 39 = 3. Regroup: 12 − 9 = 3 in the ones place, then 3 − 3 = 0 in the tens place.
8. A baker made 48 muffins. He sold 19. He has 29 muffins left.
The word 'left' tells you to subtract. 48 − 19 = 29. Regroup: 18 − 9 = 9 in the ones place, then 3 − 1 = 2 in the tens place.
9. Eva read 33 pages on Saturday and 47 on Sunday. She read 80 pages total.
The word 'total' tells you to add. 33 + 47 = 80. Add the ones: 3 + 7 = 10, write 0 and carry 1. Add the tens: 3 + 4 + 1 = 8.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Finding how many more one person has
→ Subtract the smaller from the larger
Add the two amounts
Combining two groups to find a total
→ Add the two amounts
Subtract the smaller from the larger
Finding how many are left after some leave
→ Subtract what left from the start
Subtract what left from the start
Finding how many fewer one set has
→ Subtract to compare the two sets
Subtract to compare the two sets
Comparison problems ('how many more' or 'how many fewer') use subtraction to find the difference. Combining problems ('in all,' 'total') use addition. 'How many are left' problems subtract the amount that left from the starting amount.