Free worksheets · Grade 1
Subtract Back Through Ten Worksheet
Use ten as a stepping stone: take away enough to get back to 10, then take away the rest.
Free printable
Subtract Back Through Ten
8 questions, one page, US Letter. Print it and do it on paper.
On the sheet: Use ten as a stepping stone. Split the second number into two parts. Take away enough to reach ten, then take away the rest.
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About this worksheet
For a fact like 13 − 5, a child splits the 5 into two parts: the 3 that takes 13 back to 10, and the 2 left over. 13 − 3 is 10, and 10 − 2 is 8.
Both steps are easy facts, so the hard one never needs counting back on fingers. It is the subtraction partner of making a ten when adding, and it works the same way later for 43 − 5.
A worked example
13 − 5 = ?
- 13 is 3 more than 10, so take away 3 first.
- Split 5 into 3 and 2.
- 13 − 3 = 10.
- 10 − 2 = 8.
Answer: 13 − 5 = 8
The common mistake
What it looks like: Taking 3 away to reach 10, then taking away the whole 5 again: 10 − 5 = 5.
Why it happens: The child forgets that the 3 was part of the 5, so only 2 is left to take away.
How to fix it: Write the split under the 5 and cross off each part as it is used. Say it aloud: "5 is 3 and 2. The 3 got me to 10, so 2 is left."
Ten minutes a day, on paper. We plan what comes next.
A printed page and a pencil. No screen, no login for your child. Snap a photo when they’re done: AI scores it, and what they missed comes back on the sheets that follow.
- Mon Subtract Back Through Ten
- Tue What they missed, back again
- Wed The next step, when they’re ready
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