Classroom · Math · Kindergarten and 1st grade

Subtraction within 10 worksheets

A free five-page pack: one strategy with a worked example, problems to count and write, practice with number lines, columns and missing numbers, a fact family, word problems and an answer key.

Download the subtraction within 10 pack(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)

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Watch it solved

54 sec · with voice and captions

A pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.

Read what the video says

0:00 Let's practice subtraction within 10, step by step.
0:04 Think addition. For 9 minus 4, ask: 4 plus what makes 9? 4 plus 5 equals 9, so 9 minus 4 equals 5.
0:14 Count the pictures, and write the numbers. 8 minus 2 equals 6.
0:20 Solve each one. 4 minus 2 is 2.
0:23 Use the number line. Start at 3, and hop back 1. You land on 2.
0:28 Find the missing number. 10 minus what makes 2? 8.
0:33 Fact family. Use 2, 4 and 6 to write four facts. 2 plus 4 is 6.
0:39 Mia has 7 balls. Mia gives 4 to Sam. How many balls does Mia have left? 7 minus 4 is 3.
0:47 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.

How to do it

Think addition. For 9 – 4, ask: 4 plus what makes 9? 4 + 5 = 9, so 9 – 4 = 5.

Teaching tip

Count back for small numbers: 8 – 2, say "7, 6". The answer is 6.

Try some

4 – 2 = ?2
9 – 1 = ?8
7 – 5 = ?2
10 – 1 = ?9
5 – 3 = ?2
6 – 1 = ?5
6 – 5 = ?1
9 – 5 = ?4

Tap a problem to see the answer.

Word problems

Mia has 7 balls. Mia gives 4 to Sam. How many balls does Mia have left?Show answer

7 – 4 = 3

There are 7 fish in the tank. 3 hide behind a rock. How many fish are left?Show answer

7 – 3 = 4

Zara has 8 pencils. Zara gives 6 to Ali. How many pencils does Zara have left?Show answer

8 – 6 = 2

There are 10 frogs on a log. 5 hop away. How many frogs are left?Show answer

10 – 5 = 5

What the worksheets look like

Subtraction within 10 worksheet with a worked example and problems to count — Page 1: the strategy, then count and write

Subtraction within 10 word problems worksheet — Page 4: word problems

Common questions

How do you teach subtraction within 10?

Think addition. For 9 – 4, ask: 4 plus what makes 9? 4 + 5 = 9, so 9 – 4 = 5. Count back for small numbers: 8 – 2, say "7, 6". The answer is 6.

What grade is subtraction within 10?

Usually kindergarten and 1st grade. In the Common Core it is part of K.OA.A.2, 1.OA.B.4, 1.OA.C.6.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Page 5 has every answer from the pack and a short teaching tip. The worksheet maker also adds an answer key to every sheet it makes.