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➕ 1st grade math · Add & Subtract

Story problems to 20

Read the story, then write a number sentence. Find what is missing: the total, a part, or the start.

Worked example

A jar has 9 marbles. Then 2 marbles are taken out of the jar. How many marbles are left?
Answer: 7
Write it as a number sentence: 9 − 2 = ?. Find the missing number: 7. Answer: 7.

For grown-ups: Word problems within 20, all problem types (join, separate, part-part-whole, compare; unknown in all positions). Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS 1.OA.A.1
What this practises, for teachers

Practices word problems within 20, all problem types (join, separate, part-part-whole, compare; unknown in all positions) (1.OA.A.1). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

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For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

On the board with this skill:

More printables, with answer keys, for this grade:

Try three

  1. A jar has 5 marbles. Then 4 more marbles are dropped into the jar. How many marbles are there now?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 9
    Write it as a number sentence: 5 + 4 = ?. Put the two numbers together: 5 + 4 = 9. Answer: 9.
  2. A parking lot has 8 cars. Then 2 cars drive away. How many cars are left?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 6
    Write it as a number sentence: 8 − 2 = ?. Find the missing number: 6. Answer: 6.
  3. A short fence has 10 boards. The long fence has 4 more boards than the short fence. How many boards does the long fence have?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 14
    Write it as a number sentence: ? − 10 = 4. Put the two numbers together: 10 + 4 = 14. Answer: 14.

Before and after

Learn first: Make 10 (K)

Comes next: Add three numbers (1st)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Story problems to 20 (1st grade)

  1. A pond has 5 ducks. Then 2 more ducks swim over to the pond. How many ducks are there now?
  2. A red box has 6 crayons. A blue box has 2 crayons. How many crayons are there in all?
  3. A pond has 8 ducks. Then 1 more ducks swim over to the pond. How many ducks are there now?
  4. A bus has 8 riders. Then 7 riders get off the bus. How many riders are left?
  5. A pond has 5 ducks. Then 3 more ducks swim over to the pond. How many ducks are there now?
  6. A jar has 6 marbles. Then 1 marbles are taken out of the jar. How many marbles are left?
  7. A jar has 8 marbles. Then 4 marbles are taken out of the jar. How many marbles are left?
  8. A bus has 10 riders. Then 2 more riders get on the bus. How many riders are there now?
  9. A jar has 5 marbles. Then 2 marbles are taken out of the jar. How many marbles are left?
  10. A garden has 7 flowers. Then 6 flowers are picked from the garden. How many flowers are left?
  11. One basket has 7 apples. Another basket has 1 apples. How many apples are there in all?
  12. A short stack has 10 cards. The tall stack has 8 more cards than the short stack. How many cards does the tall stack have?

Answer key

  1. 7
  2. 8
  3. 9
  4. 1
  5. 8
  6. 5
  7. 4
  8. 12
  9. 3
  10. 1
  11. 8
  12. 18

More 1st grade skills: all 1st grade math skills, or every grade at math skills.