--- title: "Two-Step Word Problems" description: "Solve one- and two-step word problems within 100 using addition and subtraction, with unknowns in all positions" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/two-step-word-problems-mt_yTWxkzzoOZ source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/two-step-word-problems-mt_yTWxkzzoOZ.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Two-Step Word Problems Solve one- and two-step word problems within 100 using addition and subtraction, with unknowns in all positions Subject: Mathematics · Area: Addition & Subtraction · Ages 7 to 8 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/two-step-word-problems-mt_yTWxkzzoOZ ## Ready when they can - Solve a two-step word problem involving adding to and taking from - Represent a word problem with an equation using a symbol for the unknown - Solve comparison problems (how many more/fewer) within 100 ## Lesson: Two-Step Word Problems A two-step word problem tells a story where two things happen. You work out the first part, get a middle number, then use that number to work out the second part. That gives you your final answer. **Example.** Mia had 24 crayons. She bought 15 more crayons. Then she gave 8 crayons to her friend. How many crayons does Mia have now? Step 1: 24 + 15 = 39. Step 2: 39 - 8 = 31. Mia has 31 crayons. Some word problems hide the mystery number as a symbol, like a box or a question mark. Turning the story into an equation with that symbol shows you which operation to use, no matter if the mystery number is the start, the middle, or the end. **Example.** Sam picked 52 apples. Tara picked 37 apples. How many more apples did Sam pick than Tara? To compare, subtract the smaller amount from the bigger amount: 52 - 37 = 15. Sam picked 15 more apples. **Tip.** When a problem has an unknown, write the story as an equation first. Then work out each step in order, and check that your final answer makes sense with the story. **Recap.** Solve the story one step at a time, use a symbol for the mystery number, and subtract to compare two amounts. ## Practice 17 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Fluent adding and subtracting within 100](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/fluent-adding-and-subtracting-within-100-mt_cChv2j_-Da) - [Early Word Problems](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/early-word-problems-mt_VAWV_l7J0D) ## Opens up - [Two-Step Equations](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/two-step-equations-mt_anAe11HAEH) - [Missing number problems (age 7+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/missing-number-problems-age-7-mt_XuHmIn2xje)