2nd Grade Subtraction Worksheets
Introduction
Students have learned the basic subtraction facts that are related to addition facts. This year starts with a review of those facts before moving on to subtracting two- and three-digit numbers. A solid foundation of addition and understanding the relationships between addition and subtraction will go far in your student’s success with subtraction.
(See all 2nd Grade Math Worksheets)
Worksheets (all activites are free, printable PDFs)
Basic Fact Review
Students have greater success learning to subtract greater numbers when they have a solid grasp of subtraction facts. The strategies covered on these worksheets will give students an aid to use as
they commit these facts to memory.
Use Doubles
Students have learned to add doubles. Recognizing sums of doubles allows them to make easy work of their related differences.
2.OA.B.2
Use a Ten
Students have learned to recognize pairs of numbers that have a sum of 10. They will use this knowledge to help them with related subtraction facts.
2.OA.B.2
Relate Subtraction and Addition
Use the given sum to answer the subtraction equations, or use the given difference to solve the addition equations.
2.OA.B.2
Fluently Subtract Two Numbers from 0 to 10
Students will use what they know to practice fluently subtracting two numbers between 0 and 10. The worksheets below focus on this skill through subtracting a pair of numbers without objects.
Subtract a Pair of Numbers Without Objects
Look at the shown pair of numbers (o through 10) and use what you know to subtract.
2.OA.B.2
Fluently Subtract Within 100
When subtracting two-digit numbers, students must learn how to handle “regrouping” (or borrowing) when they do not have enough to subtract from. They will start by using blocks and transfer that knowledge to a general process often called an algorithm. If you used another object with students when they learned to add, such as packages of gum, use this object again for reinforcement. Students will continue practice using base-ten blocks, using place value, breaking apart ten, regrouping, and using the relationship between subtraction and addition.
Using Base-Ten Blocks Without Regrouping
Look at the base-ten blocks representing a number and subtract without regrouping to solve the equation.
2.NBT.B.5, 2.NBT.B.9
Using Base-Ten Blocks With Regrouping
This set of problems includes numbers that require regrouping. Students will “regroup” a tens block as 10 ones blocks to give them enough to subtract from.
2.NBT.B.5, 2.NBT.B.9
Break Apart a Ten to Subtract
Solve the subtraction equation by breaking apart a ten.
2.NBT.B.5, 2.NBT.B.9
Using Place Value Without Regrouping
Students subtract without using blocks. This practice set will not include any problems that require regrouping so students can just get used to subtracting in columns.
2.NBT.B.5, 2.NBT.B.9
Using Place Value With Regrouping
Students subtract any pair of two-digit numbers without the help of blocks. Most problems will require regrouping 1 ten as 10 ones.
2.NBT.B.5, 2.NBT.B.9
Using Relationship Between Addition and Subtraction
Students use the sum of a pair of two-digit numbers to find the difference. They also use the difference of a pair of two-digit numbers to find the sum. Knowing how the two operations are related allows students to use one operation to help them with the other.
2.NBT.B.5, 2.NBT.B.9
Subtract Within 1000
Subtracting three-digit numbers requires the same skills as subtracting two-digit numbers, except that students may need to regroup hundreds as tens. The learning stages are the same—from concrete objects (blocks) and pictures to symbols. For support, you may want to use play money. Give students practice subtracting money amounts by making change with $100, $10, and $1 bills. Students will work on strengthening their math skills with activities using base-ten blocks, subtracting using place value, breaking apart hundreds, and checking differences using subtraction.
Using Base-Ten Blocks Without Regrouping
Students use blocks to subtract three-digit numbers. They take away ones, tens, and hundreds blocks without having to regroup or exchange any blocks.
2.NBT.B.7, 2.NBT.B.9
Using Base-Ten Blocks With Regrouping
Students learned to “regroup” 10 tens blocks as 1 hundreds block when they learned to add three-digit numbers. They will use that in reverse to give them enough blocks to subtract from.
2.NBT.B.7, 2.NBT.B.9
Break Apart 1 Hundred to Subtract
Students practice recording the regrouping of 1 hundred as 10 tens to subtract.
2.NBT.B.7, 2.NBT.B.9
Using Place Value Without Regrouping
Students subtract three-digit numbers that do not require regrouping. The focus is learning to subtract in columns.
NBT.B.7, 2.NBT.B.9
Using Place Value With Regrouping in One Place
Students need a lot of practice regrouping in subtraction. This set of practice items is limited to regrouping in only one place. Students will either group 1 hundred as 10 tens, or 1 ten as 10 ones. This provides practice that isn’t as overwhelming as students develop the thinking skills needed to subtract.
2.NBT.B.7, 2.NBT.B.9
Using Place Value With Regrouping in Two Places
Now that students have a good foundation in regrouping, they will regroup twice for each problem in this practice set.
2.NBT.B.7, 2.NBT.B.9
Check Sums Using Subtraction
Students know that addition and subtraction are related. They can use this fact to check their answers to problems. In this practice set, they check answers to addition problems using subtraction.
2.NBT.B.7, 2.NBT.B.9
Check Differences Using Addition
Students check answers to subtraction problems using addition.
2.NBT.B.7, 2.NBT.B.9
Mental Subtraction
Students will use what they already know to practice mental subtraction. They will be asked to subtract 10 or 100 from any given number up to 900. These worksheets are great practice for students as they prepare for 3rd grade math.
Subtract 10 from a Given Number 100-900
Students practice taking away 10 from a number and will likely notice that only the tens digit changes.
2.NBT.B.8
Subtract 100 from a Given Number 100-900
Students practice taking away 100 from a number and will likely notice that only the hundreds digit changes.
2.NBT.B.8