Word Problems with Addition and Subtraction
Aligned to 2.OA.A.1 — Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
What this lesson teaches
Read the problem and decide if you put groups together (add) or take some away (find the difference). Pick the numbers and solve.
Worked examples
Example 1
Maya has 24 stickers. She gives 9 to her friend. How many are left? Take away: 24 - 9 = 15 stickers.
Example 2
A shelf holds 18 books and 25 more arrive. How many in all? Put them together: 18 + 25 = 43 books.
Example 3
Ana read 32 pages and Luis read 19. How many more did Ana read? 'How many more' means find the difference: 32 − 19 = 13 pages.
Practice questions
- There are 18 red apples and 15 green apples. How many apples in all?
- A bus has 32 people. 14 get off. How many people are still on the bus?
- Sam had 20 marbles. He found some more and now has 27. How many did he find?
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Problemas de suma y resta
Lee el problema y decide si juntas grupos (sumar) o quitas algunos (hallar la diferencia). Elige los números y resuelve.
Ejemplo 1: Maya tiene 24 calcomanías. Le da 9 a su amiga. ¿Cuántas le quedan? Quita: 24 - 9 = 15 calcomanías.
Ejemplo 2: Un estante tiene 18 libros y llegan 25 más. ¿Cuántos hay en total? Júntalos: 18 + 25 = 43 libros.
Ejemplo 3: Ana leyó 32 páginas y Luis leyó 19. ¿Cuántas más leyó Ana? '¿Cuántas más?' significa hallar la diferencia: 32 − 19 = 13 páginas.
More Operations & Algebraic Thinking lessons
Teach this lesson today
An AI tutor that guides with questions instead of just giving answers — all K–12 core subjects, every child in the family.
Start free — no card required