Oratrics Navbar

subtraction sums for class 1 with practice question and answers

By /

Subtraction Sums for Class 1 with Practice Questions and Answers

A kid hands over 3 of 8 crayons without blinking. The same kid sees “8 − 3 = ___” on a worksheet and freezes for a second. It’s the same math. Just looks scarier on paper. That’s really the whole reason subtraction sums need actual practice, not just a one time explanation and moving on.

This guide walks through what a subtraction sum is, the different shapes these sums come in, a solid batch of practice questions with answers, a step by step way to work through them, a handful of speed tricks, and the mistakes that show up again and again no matter how many times a child’s been taught otherwise.

Book a Free Demo Today
Nouns worksheet for class 1 with simple exercises and examples for young learners
☰ Table of Contents

    What Are Subtraction Sums?

    Basically, a subtraction sum takes one number away from another to see what’s left over. Class 1 sums use the minus sign (−) and mostly stick to numbers between 1 and 20.

    Three parts make up every sum, worth knowing even before a child says the words out loud:

    • Minuend: the number you start with
    • Subtrahend: the number getting subtracted
    • Difference: what’s left, the answer

    9 − 4 = 5. 9’s the minuend, 4’s the subtrahend, 5’s the difference. Doesn’t need to be memorized right away. Knowing it just helps a child actually read the sum instead of poking at random numbers.

    Types of Subtraction Sums Given in Class 1

    Sums show up looking different, and honestly, that trips kids up more than the actual math does. The usual formats:

    • Horizontal sums: one line, 8 − 3 = ___
    • Vertical sums: stacked numbers, line underneath
    • Fill in the blank sums: 7 − ___ = 2
    • Missing number sums: ___ − 5 = 3
    • True or false sums: “6 − 2 = 5, true or false?”
    • Picture based sums: drawings, some things crossed out
    • Number line sums: hop backward, count where you land

    Get a child comfortable with all of these, not just one, and a sum stops looking unfamiliar just because it’s dressed up differently.

    Subtraction Sums for Class 1 (Practice Questions with Answers)

    Basic Sums (Within 10)

    1. 5 − 2 = ___ Answer: 3
    2. 9 − 4 = ___ Answer: 5
    3. 7 − 3 = ___ Answer: 4
    4. 6 − 6 = ___ Answer: 0
    5. 8 − 0 = ___ Answer: 8

    Sums Within 20

    1. 15 − 6 = ___ Answer: 9
    2. 18 − 9 = ___ Answer: 9
    3. 12 − 5 = ___ Answer: 7
    4. 20 − 8 = ___ Answer: 12
    5. 14 − 7 = ___ Answer: 7

    Fill in the Blank Sums

    1. 9 − ___ = 4 Answer: 5
    2. ___ − 6 = 5 Answer: 11
    3. 10 − ___ = 3 Answer: 7

    Vertical Format Sums

    1.  

    16 − 9 Answer: 7

    1.  

    13 − 5 Answer: 8

    Mixed Practice

    1. 11 − 4 = ___ Answer: 7
    2. 19 − 10 = ___ Answer: 9
    3. 8 − 5 = ___ Answer: 3
    4. 17 − 8 = ___ Answer: 9
    5. 6 − 1 = ___ Answer: 5

    Let the kid attempt it first, all the way through, before showing the answer. It feels obvious. Gets skipped constantly. That one habit matters more later than it seems right now.

    How to Solve Subtraction Sums Step by Step

    Most mistakes come from rushing, not from the math being genuinely hard.

    1. Read it properly first. Which number’s first, which one’s getting taken away.
    2. Find the bigger number. That’s usually the starting point.
    3. Use fingers, objects, whatever, if the answer doesn’t come right away.
    4. Write the answer clearly, matching whatever format the sum came in.
    5. Add it back to check. Difference plus subtrahend should land back on the minuend.

    That last step catches more errors than every other tip combined. Worth turning into a habit early, even if it feels like an extra step nobody asked for.

    Simple Tricks to Solve Subtraction Sums Faster

    • Counting back: for small numbers, just count backward from the bigger one
    • Subtracting zero: no change, 7 − 0 = 7
    • Subtracting the same number: always zero, 9 − 9 = 0
    • Subtracting 1: the number right before it, 8 − 1 = 7
    • Subtracting 10: drop the tens digit, 17 − 10 = 7
    • Fact families: 5 + 4 = 9 means 9 − 4 = 5 and 9 − 5 = 4, same fact, different angle
    • Breaking numbers apart: 14 − 6, split 6 into 4 and 2, do 14 − 4 = 10, then 10 − 2 = 8

    None of these replace understanding. They just speed things up once the understanding’s already there.

    Common Mistakes in Subtraction Sums and How to Avoid Them

      • Flipping the order, 3 − 7 instead of 7 − 3
      • Miscounting fingers past 10
      • Skipping a hop on the number line, right method, wrong answer
      • Mixing up plus and minus on the same page
      • Writing an answer without checking, especially fill in the blanks

    Most of this sorts itself out with exposure to different formats. Repetition of one type just hides the gaps.

    Tips for Parents and Teachers Helping with Subtraction Sums

        • Small daily practice beats one long session a week, every time
        • Real objects before written sums, buttons, spoons, whatever’s around
        • Let finger counting happen, don’t rush it out of a child
        • Read word based sums out loud together so the question’s actually understood
        • Praise the attempt, not just whether the answer’s right

    Nothing groundbreaking here. Just consistency, applied without much fuss.

    Conclusion

    Subtraction sums for Class 1 get a lot less intimidating once a child knows the parts of a sum, has seen enough formats to not get thrown by how one looks, and has a couple of tricks in their back pocket instead of counting slowly every single time. Steady practice, checking work with addition, a bit of patience when mistakes happen, that combination does most of the work. The sums here are a fine place to start, and swapping in a few new ones each week keeps things moving forward without it feeling repetitive.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Basic math problems where a child works out the difference between two numbers, usually somewhere between 1 and 20, using the minus sign.

    A little every day, not a lot once a week. Mix formats, horizontal, vertical, fill in the blank. Use real objects for kids who need to see it rather than just read it.

    Add the subtrahend back onto the difference. Matches the minuend, answer’s correct.

    Yes, it’s normal, and it fades on its own once number sense builds up.

     Somewhere around 8 to 10, a mix of easy and slightly tougher ones, usually does the job without wearing them out.

    Related Posts

    Leave a Comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Oratrics Footer
    Student studying

    Start Your Child's Learning Journey

    Join thousands of students excelling with our personalized educational development paths.

    Thank You! 🎉

    Your free demo has been booked! We will contact you within 24 hours to finalize your schedule.

    Book Your Free Demo

    Experience personalized learning tailored to your child's needs

    Scroll to Top