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Addition and subtraction word problems

Solve addition and subtraction word problems within 10 using objects or drawings

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What a learner can do afterwards

  • Solve 'There are 6 apples, 2 are eaten, how many left?' using counters
  • Solve 'add to' and 'take from' result-unknown problems
  • Solve 'put together/take apart' problems with total unknown

The lesson

A word problem tells a tiny story with numbers. Read it slowly. Then act it out with fingers or counters.

6 apples. 2 get eaten. How many apples are left?
Try it together

Mia has 4 red blocks and 3 blue blocks. She wants to know how many blocks she has in all. She counts all of them together: 4, 5, 6, 7. Seven blocks in all.

Tap each block and count out loud.
Good to know

Some words are clues. 'Left' or 'gave away' means subtract. 'In all' or 'more come' means add.

Read the story, then add or subtract to find the answer.

Watch it

Where it sits

Where this leads

Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.

Then practise

8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.

Addition and subtraction word problems · Mathematics, ages 4 to 6 · LightMySky