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Subtraction — Missing Numbers Worksheets for 1st Grade

Solve for the missing minuend or subtrahend in a subtraction sentence. 15 free printable worksheets, each with an answer key.

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Free Subtraction — Missing Numbers Worksheets

Click a worksheet to open the PDF, or grab the matching answer key. Every sheet prints on one page.

Subtraction — Missing Numbers: what children learn

Missing-number subtraction (like "__ - 5 = 8" or "12 - __ = 8") asks kids to work backward using the connection between addition and subtraction, rather than subtracting directly.

Subtraction — Missing Numbers: worked example

__ - 5 = 8 13

Think "what number, minus 5, leaves 8?" Since 8 + 5 = 13, the missing number is 13.

Subtraction — Missing Numbers: a common mistake to watch for

When the blank is the first number, kids sometimes try to subtract the two visible numbers instead of adding them — reinforcing the addition/subtraction fact-family connection helps here.

Subtraction — Missing Numbers: how to help at home or in class

Use a hidden-number game with a cup and counters. Say that you started with some, took some away, and now have a certain amount; ask your child what you started with, and show how to check by putting the counters back. Always have your child test the answer by plugging it into the sentence. Try different positions of the blank in different rounds. When your child solves the blank in any position, relate the problems to fact families.

What is on these Subtraction — Missing Numbers worksheets

This set has 15 different worksheets for 1st grade, with 23 questions on each and a matching answer key for every sheet. The instruction printed on each worksheet is: “Find the missing number.”

Example questions like the ones on these worksheets, with their answers:

  • __ - 3 = 912
  • 5 - __ = 14
  • 19 - __ = 136
  • __ - 7 = 1320
  • __ - 11 = 516
  • __ - 4 = 1317
  • __ - 17 = 320
  • 16 - __ = 124

Every answer on every sheet is checked by a separate program before the worksheet is published. How we check answers

Related Subtraction worksheets for 1st grade

Single-Digit Subtraction
Basic subtraction facts within 10.
Subtract Whole Tens
Subtract multiples of ten from each other (e.g. 70 - 30).
Subtraction — Missing Numbers Within 10
Solve for the missing minuend or subtrahend, keeping every number within 10.
Fact Families
Given three related numbers, write all four addition and subtraction facts.
Subtract Within 20
Subtract two numbers where the larger number can be as high as 20.
Subtract Whole Tens — Missing Numbers
Solve for the missing minuend or subtrahend when every value is a whole ten.
All Subtraction worksheets
See every subtraction topic for 1st grade