Subtraction

23 Grade 1 Mathematics questions on Subtraction, with worked marking schemes. 23 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   3 marks

   Mary had $18$ pencils. She gave $4$ pencils to Ann and $3$ pencils to John. How many pencils does she have now?

   (3 marks)

   Marking scheme

   First give Ann: $18-4=14$. Then give John: $14-3=11$. Final answer: $11$ pencils.

2. Question 2

   1 mark

   What is $9-4$?

   A. $5$

   B. $6$

   C. $4$

   D. $3$

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   What is $5-2$?

   A. $3$

   B. $2$

   C. $4$

   D. $7$

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   What is $10-6$?

   A. $3$

   B. $4$

   C. $6$

   D. $5$

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme

   B. $4$ — count back $6$ from $10$, or think of the pair that makes ten: $6+4=10$, so $10-6=4$.

5. Question 5

   1 mark

   What is $20-10$?

   A. $10$

   B. $30$

   C. $0$

   D. $11$

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme

   A. $10$ — both are whole tens: $2$ tens take away $1$ ten leaves $1$ ten, which is $10$. B adds them instead.

6. Question 6

   2 marks

   A shop had $14$ oranges. $6$ oranges were sold. How many oranges are left?

   (2 marks)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   Amina had $6$ sweets. She gave away $2$ sweets. How many sweets are left?

   A. $3$

   B. $4$

   C. $8$

   D. $5$

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   Work out: $8-3$.

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   What is $4-4$?

   A. $4$

   B. $0$

   C. $8$

   D. $1$

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    Subtract: 18 - 5 = ___

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    1 mark

    There are $8$ birds on a tree. $5$ birds fly away. How many birds remain?

    A. $4$

    B. $13$

    C. $2$

    D. $3$

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme

    D. $3$ — birds that fly away are gone, so take away: $8-5=3$. B adds them instead.

12. Question 12

    1 mark

    What is $15-5$?

    A. $11$

    B. $20$

    C. $10$

    D. $5$

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    2 marks

    Juma had $12$ shillings. He bought a mandazi for $5$ shillings. How much money is left?

    (2 marks)

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14. Question 14

    2 marks

    A hen had $10$ chicks. $3$ chicks ran away. How many chicks remained?

    (2 marks)

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15. Question 15

    2 marks

    Mary had 8 sweets. She ate 3. How many sweets are left?

    (2 marks)

    Marking scheme

    She ate some sweets, so they are gone — take away. (1)

    $8-3=5$. (1)

    Final answer: $5$ sweets.

16. Question 16

    1 mark

    Subtract: 26 - 4 = ___

    (1 mark)

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17. Question 17

    1 mark

    Work out: $6-0$.

    (1 mark)

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18. Question 18

    1 mark

    Fill in: 9 - ___ = 6.

    (1 mark)

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19. Question 19

    2 marks

    Subtract: 50 - 20 = ___

    (2 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Take away $20$ from $50$. Both are whole tens, so think in tens: $5$ tens take away $2$ tens. (1)

    That leaves $3$ tens, which is $30$. (1)

    Final answer: $30$.

20. Question 20

    1 mark

    Subtract: 9 - 4 = ___

    (1 mark)

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21. Question 21

    1 mark

    Subtract: 10 - 6 = ___

    (1 mark)

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22. Question 22

    1 mark

    Subtract: 7 - 3 = ___

    (1 mark)

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23. Question 23

    1 mark

    Work out: $7-7$.

    (1 mark)

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