Single and Double Digit Subtraction Worksheets
Once students have mastered their basic subtraction facts, we find ourselves pondering differences at this level. We encourage all students to write these types of problems out and not get in the habit of doing them in their heads. This is where we introduce the concept of borrowing from higher place values when you have a minuend digit that has a lesser value than the subtrahend digit value. We then show students how to regroup that lower place value and then complete the difference. These lessons and worksheets show students how to find the difference between a one- and two-digit number. They are mixed between problems that require borrowing and regrouping and some that do not.
Aligned Standard: 2.NBT.B.5
- Using Place Values Step-by-Step Lesson- No carrying needed in this one, just a pure warm-up.
- Guided Lesson - Carrying kicks in on the third problem.
- Guided Lesson Explanation - I like to use the place value strategy to explain carrying over of numbers.
- Practice Worksheet - Every other problem requires you to borrow from the tens place.
- Matching Worksheet - Find the matching operations and differences.
- Worksheet Five Pack - A nice and big font is in play here.
- Single From Double Digit Difference Practice Worksheet - Twenty-five for you to work through and conquer.
- Single From Double Digit Subtraction Practice - These are for you to work on with children that are having difficulty with the skill.
- Single From Double Digit Subtraction Lesson and Practice - A lesson with practice in one sheet.
- Answer Keys - These are for all the unlocked materials above.
Homework Sheets
Every page starts of with an example problem that is worked through for you.
- Homework 1 - Watch the example to see how to carry values between their places.
- Homework 2 - We transition between vertical and horizontal arrangement of values.
- Homework 3 - Ten problems to give a good set of practice.
Practice Worksheets
These are sprinkled with tips for all your students.
- Practice 1 - Start at the ones places. If the bottom number is larger than the top number, borrow from the tens column.
- Practice 2 - A really nice situation to learn from.
- Practice 3 - Write the answer on the line.
Math Skill Quizzes
You will find a nice mix of problem orientation here.
- Quiz 1 - See what you know.
- Quiz 2 - Six vertical forms followed by four horizontal subtraction problems.
- Quiz 3 - These problems tend to involve a little more borrowing than the other quizzes.
Common Mistakes When Finding Differences
The most common mistakes that I find that students make with these types of problems stems from them not staying organized. When they run into a situation where they must borrow from a higher place value and then regroup for instance the difference problem: 22 – 9, this is where the mistakes happen. In order to solve this, we must borrow from the tens place to regroup at the ones place to make it work. Students will often regroup well, I rarely find that to be the issue. Where they faulter is forgetting that when they borrowed from the tens place, that it got reduced by 1. When borrowing I would encourage you to constantly remind your students that it is a two-step process.
How to Practice Simple Subtraction
They say practice makes a man perfect. This is because when you practice something, you learn the art of dealing with its complexities. If you want to go a step further and talk to Malcolm Gladwell, he’ll tell you there is a great deal of evidence that ten thousand hours of practice is the magic number of being great at something. Since subtraction requires little more effort and comprehension as compared to addition, the key to achieving grip over subtraction sums is to practice the problems over and over, but we promise that it will not talk ten thousand hours to master.
Start Small - Start with single digits subtraction and then gradually move up to subtracting bigger digits. This is where flashcards are super helpful. If you create or buy a set of subtraction fact cards for single digits it usually takes less than a week to master those facts. A great way practice is to take a pair of dice, preferably ten-sided, and roll them. As quick as you can state the difference between the value of each die.
Be Consistent - Make a habit of solving one subtraction problem daily. Subtraction is not that difficult as much as we think it is. It is all about making a habit of practicing and taking it seriously. Until you feel you have a deep knowledge of the subject, just keep a schedule, and keep cracking away at it. Take your mathematics book and look through solved subtraction problems maybe one a day.
Do Real World Problems - When we bring math skills into our world, we tend to value it more and learn faster as a result. You can find problems by just reading your local newspaper. Carefully read subtraction word problems and understand how to spot them through locating the keyword left, remaining, from and to.