Subtraction within 5 Fluency — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Some cookies were on a plate. 3 were eaten and 1 was left. How many at first?
A) 4
B) 3
C) 2
D) 5
Three eaten plus one left equals four, so four cookies were on the plate first.
2. Some balloons floated. 2 popped and 3 stayed. How many at first?
A) 3
B) 5
C) 4
D) 2
Two popped plus three stayed equals five, so five balloons floated up at the start.
3. Some ducks swam. 1 left and 2 stayed. How many at first?
A) 2
B) 4
C) 3
D) 5
One left plus two stayed equals three, so three ducks were swimming first.
4. Some toys sat. 2 were lost and 3 remained. How many at first?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5
Two lost plus three remained equals five, so five toys were on the floor first.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. 4 - 3 = 1
Three plus one equals four, which is the start number before subtracting three away.
2. 5 - 2 = 3
Two plus three equals five, so five was the original number in the equation.
3. 3 - 1 = 2
One plus two equals three, so the missing start number must be three.
4. 5 - 4 = 1
Five minus four equals one, so four is the amount that was taken away here.
5. 4 - 4 = 0
Four minus four equals zero, so the missing number must be four to empty the group.