England · Year 1 · Ages 5–6 · Worked examples

Year 1 Subtraction Within 20: Worked Examples

See free Year 1 subtraction within 20 worked examples with clear strategies and answers, aligned to the England primary curriculum.

Model the thinking

Four worked examples

Try each question first, then compare the strategy and answer. The aim is to understand the method, not just copy the final result.

1
Take away

10 - 3 = __.

How to think about it: Decide which operation the question needs, keep tens/ones or larger place values aligned, and calculate in manageable steps. Check with the inverse operation where possible. Cross out 3 counters if helpful.

Show answer

Answer: 7

2
Take away

17 - 5 = __.

How to think about it: Decide which operation the question needs, keep tens/ones or larger place values aligned, and calculate in manageable steps. Check with the inverse operation where possible.

Show answer

Answer: 12

3
Missing number

12 - __ = 8.

How to think about it: Decide which operation the question needs, keep tens/ones or larger place values aligned, and calculate in manageable steps. Check with the inverse operation where possible.

Show answer

Answer: 4

4
Story

Sam has 9 balloons. 2 pop. How many are left?

How to think about it: Decide which operation the question needs, keep tens/ones or larger place values aligned, and calculate in manageable steps. Check with the inverse operation where possible.

Show answer

Answer: 7 balloons

Next step

Turn the explanation into practice

Use the printable for independent work, or return to the topic overview to choose another way to practise.

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