Math Story Problems - Subtraction

When we see this sign what should we do?

• add

• subtract

• multiply

What symbols are used in a subtraction problem?

• minus sign (-)

  and

  equal sign (=)

• plus sign (+)

  and

  equal sign (=)

• multiplication sign (x)

  and

  equal sign (=)

Mary Beth is cutting apple slices for a snack. She cuts 10 apple slices. She eats 9 apple slices. How many apple slices does Mary Beth have left?

Count the number of items.

• 2

• 1

• 3

Mary Beth is cutting apple slices for a snack. She cuts 15 apple slices. She eats 6 apple slices. How many apple slices does Mary Beth have left?

15 - 6 =

• 3

• 9

• 2

Mario is eating a healthy snack. He has 8 cheese cubes. He eats 3 cheese cubes. How many cheese cubes does Mario have left?

8 - 3 =

• 5

• 4

• 3

Mario and Randy are eating carrot sticks. Mario eats 9 carrot sticks. Randy eats 3 carrot stick. How many more carrot sticks does Mario eat than Randy?

9 - 3 =

• 3

• 4

• 6

Raj is eating apple slices. There are 11 apple slices. Raj eats 4 apple slices. How many apple slices are left?

11 - 4 =

• 7

• 6

• 5

Mary Beth is making a snack tray. There are 49 carrot sticks. She uses 33 carrot sticks. How many carrot sticks are left?

49 - 33 =

• 16

• 12

• 15

Randy and Mario are counting grapes. Randy counts 36 grapes. Mario counts 14 grapes. How many more grapes does Randy count than Mario?

36 - 14 =

• 26

• 24

• 22

Mary Beth needs 35 apple slices for a fruit salad. She cuts 23 apple slices. How many apple slices does Mary Beth have left to cut?

35 - 23 =

• 15

• 12

• 17