Subtraction on a Number Line Worksheets for 1st Grade

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Grade 1MathAddition & SubtractionCCSS 1.OA.C.5CCSS 1.OA.C.6

Skill: Subtracting within 20 by counting back on a number line

Preview of the Subtraction on a Number Line printable worksheet
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Teaching tips and what to try next

Fits first graders who already hop forward confidently in Addition on a Number Line and know their facts to 10. Saying "back" for every hop, and lifting the pencil only after the last one, keeps the count honest. When counting back feels slow, switch to thinking-addition strategies in Missing Numbers in Subtraction Within 20 or Fact Families Within 20.

10 versions, each with its own answer key

Same skill and layout, a fresh set of problems in every version, so children can keep practicing without repeating a page. Problems are not repeated between versions unless a skill has only a small number of possible problems (for example, the addition facts within 10).

Download all 10 versions (one PDF)All 10 answer keys (PDF)

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About this worksheet

A number line helps first graders see that subtracting is counting back. Each hop to the left takes one away, and the number where the last hop lands is the answer. This first-grade worksheet gives seven subtraction problems, each with its own number line from 0 to 20.

The first number in each problem is between 5 and 20, and children take away 2 to 8. They find the first number on the line, make one hop back for each number being subtracted, and write the number where they land. Because every problem has a full number line, children can draw every hop instead of keeping track in their heads. The answer key shows the starting point and each hop drawn in red, so you can see exactly where a mistake happened. Each of the ten versions has new problems.

How to use it: have your child put a pencil point on the first number and say it out loud. Then draw small arcs to the left while counting the hops: "one, two, three." A common mistake is counting the starting number as the first hop, which gives an answer that is one too big. Remind your child that the pencil has to move before the first count. Later, ask if there is a faster way, such as hopping back to 10 first.

For the matching addition skill, try our Addition on a Number Line worksheet. For more practice with these facts, try our Subtraction Within 20 worksheet.