Subtraction Comparison Word Problems

The girl had 5 pets.  The 3 dogs were outside.  How many cats did she have?  What number sentence tells the story?

• 5-3=2

• 3-2=1

• 5+3=8

• 3 = 5+2

10 bats flew in the cave.  4 flew out.  How many were still in the cave?  

• 10+ 4 = 14

• 10 - 4 = 6

• 10 - 6 = 4

• 4 = 10 + 6

If Payton has 24 pencils and gives Nathalie 17 of her pencils how many pencils does Payton have left?

• 14

• 7

• 9

If Sarah has 9 cups of icing and gives her neighbor 4 cups of icing how many cups of icing does Sarah have left.

• 5

• 3

• 2

Ella had 15 ribbons. she gave 7 of them to Grant. How many ribbons does Ella have left?

• 5

• 15

• 8

• 22

Payton had 16 markers. She gave 5 of them to Juan. How many markers does Payton have left?

• 11

• 398

• 21

• 1

Ethan has 15 jelly beans and Gemma has 8 jelly beans. How many fewer jelly beans does Gemma have than Ethan?

• 6

• 7

• 23

• 8

There were 10 squirrels in a tree. Then, 2 squirrels climbed down.

How many squirrels are in the tree now?

• 11

• 10

• 12

• 8

Bob had 7 balls. He lost 5 balls. How many balls did he have left?

• 2

• 3

• 12

• 11