Two-step addition and subtraction problems · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Two steps to the answer

Mathematics · Addition & Subtraction · ages 8-9
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Work out the first step of the apple story: 250 - 120.

    Answer: ______________

  2. A shop has 250 apples. It sells 120, then 80 more arrive. What do you work out first?

    • 120 + 80
    • 250 + 80
    • 250 - 120
    • 250 - 80

  3. What does a two-step problem need you to do?

    • One calculation only
    • Two calculations, one after the other
    • No calculations at all

  4. In a two-step problem, the order of the steps never matters.

    Circle one:   True   False

  5. Ben has 95 stickers. He gives away 30, then buys 45 more. How many does he have?

    Answer: ______________

  6. Priya buys a $12 book and a $7 pen. She pays with a $30 note. How much change does she get?

    Book12Pen7

    Answer: ______________

  7. Finish the apple story: 130 + 80 = ?

    • 210
    • 200
    • 810
    • 310

  8. Lena says 95 - 30 is easy mentally but 4867 - 2999 needs a written column. Is Lena right?

    Circle one:   True   False

  9. Leo has $20. He buys a $6 ball and a $9 kite. He worked out 20 - 6 = 14 and said that was his change. What did Leo do wrong?

    • He should have added 20 + 6 instead
    • He subtracted correctly, there is no mistake
    • He forgot to add the kite's price before subtracting

  10. A library has 400 books. It lends 150, then 230 come back. Which steps solve it?

    • 400 + 150, then take away 230
    • 400 - 150, then add 230
    • 400 - 230, then add 150
    • 150 + 230, then take away 400
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Two steps to the answer W1-mt_CDa5AVakLE-s1

  1. 130 · 250 - 120 = 130.
  2. 250 - 120 · The sale happens first, so work out 250 - 120.
  3. Two calculations, one after the other · You solve the first part, then use that answer to solve the second part.
  4. False · Order matters, because the second step usually needs the answer from the first step.
  5. 110 · 95 - 30 = 65, then 65 + 45 = 110.
  6. 11 · First add 12 + 7 = 19, the total spent. Then subtract: 30 - 19 = 11.
  7. 210 · 130 + 80 = 210.
  8. True · Lena is right: friendly tens suit the head, exchanges suit paper.
  9. He forgot to add the kite's price before subtracting · Leo only subtracted the ball's price. He needed to add both prices first, 6 + 9 = 15, then subtract from 20.
  10. 400 - 150, then add 230 · Lend first (400 - 150), then returns join (add 230), giving 480.
Worksheet · LightMySky