2nd Grade Total Difference Puzzle Worksheet with Addition and Subtraction Challenges

Let's solve the Total Difference Puzzle 2A step by step.

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🔍 Understanding the Puzzle

From the example:
- The TOTAL (green box) is the sum of two numbers.
- The DIFFERENCE (red box) is the positive difference between the two numbers.
- The two hexagons represent Number 1 and Number 2.
- The formula is:

> Total = Number 1 + Number 2
> Difference = |Number 1 - Number 2| (always positive)

We are given one number in each hexagon, and we need to find the missing Total (green) and Difference (red), or vice versa depending on what's missing.

But looking at the puzzles, in each case, one number is given in a hexagon, and we have to fill in the green (Total) and red (Difference) boxes.

Wait — actually, let’s look carefully.

In each puzzle:
- There are two hexagons: top and bottom.
- One of them has a number.
- The green box (Total) and red box (Difference) are missing.
- But wait — in some cases, both green and red are blank? Let’s check.

Actually, upon closer inspection:

Each puzzle has:
- Two hexagons (top and bottom)
- A green box (Total) on the left
- A red box (Difference) on the right

And in the example:
- Top hexagon: 6
- Bottom hexagon: 2
- Green: 8 → 6 + 2 = 8 ✔
- Red: 4 → |6 - 2| = 4 ✔

So the hexagons are the two numbers, and the green box is their sum, and the red box is their absolute difference.

Now, in the problems below, one of the hexagons is filled, and the other is missing, and we must find both the total and the difference.

Wait — no. Actually, in the puzzles, both hexagons are filled with numbers! Let's look again.

Wait — no, actually:

Look at the first puzzle:
- Top hexagon: 5
- Bottom hexagon: 2
- Green box: blank
- Red box: 3

Wait — but 5 + 2 = 7, not 3. So that can’t be.

Hold on — maybe I misread.

Wait — the red box says 3, which is labeled as "DIFFERENCE".

So if the difference is 3, and one number is 5, and the other is 2, then |5 - 2| = 3 → that matches.

And total = 5 + 2 = 7.

So why is the green box blank?

Ah! So the green box (Total) is missing, and the red box (Difference) is given? Or is it the other way around?

Wait — in the first puzzle:
- Top: 5
- Bottom: 2
- Green: blank
- Red: 3

But 5 + 2 = 7, so green should be 7.
|5 - 2| = 3 → red is correct.

So the red box is already filled with 3, and the green box is blank → we just need to compute the total.

But that seems too easy.

Wait — look at the second puzzle:
- Top: 6
- Bottom: 1
- Green: blank
- Red: blank

So both green and red are blank → we need to figure out both.

But how?

Wait — there’s a mistake in my logic.

Let’s re-analyze the example:

Example:
- Top hexagon: 6
- Bottom hexagon: 2
- Green box: 8 → total = 6 + 2 = 8 ✔
- Red box: 4 → |6 - 2| = 4 ✔

So the two numbers are in the hexagons.

In the puzzles:
- Each puzzle has two hexagons with numbers.
- We are to compute:
- Green box (Total) = sum of the two numbers
- Red box (Difference) = absolute difference

But in the first puzzle:
- Top: 5
- Bottom: 2
- Green: ? → should be 5 + 2 = 7
- Red: 3 → but |5 - 2| = 3 → correct!

So the red box is already filled with 3, and green is blank → so we just fill in the total.

But in the second puzzle:
- Top: 6
- Bottom: 1
- Green: ?
- Red: ?

So both are blank → but we know the numbers → we can compute both.

Wait — but the puzzle is asking us to work out the missing numbers — so maybe the numbers in the hexagons are not always given?

Wait — let's check the layout again.

Looking at the first puzzle:
- Top hexagon: 5
- Bottom hexagon: 2
- Green: empty
- Red: 3

But 5 + 2 = 7, so green should be 7.

But why is red given as 3? That’s consistent.

So perhaps the red box is given, and we are to find the green box?

But then the second puzzle has both green and red blank — so how do we solve it?

Wait — perhaps I misunderstood.

Let me look at the structure again.

The diagram shows:

```
[Number 1]
/ \
/ \
[TOTAL] [DIFFERENCE]
\ /
\ /
[Number 2]
```

So the two numbers are in the hexagons.

Then:
- TOTAL = Number 1 + Number 2
- DIFFERENCE = |Number 1 - Number 2|

So for each puzzle, we are given two numbers (in the hexagons), and we need to compute:
- Total (green box)
- Difference (red box)

But in the first puzzle:
- Top: 5
- Bottom: 2
- Green: blank
- Red: 3

But 5 + 2 = 7, so green should be 7.
|5 - 2| = 3 → red is already 3.

So the red box is filled — but that's just confirming.

But in the second puzzle:
- Top: 6
- Bottom: 1
- Green: blank
- Red: blank

So we compute:
- Total = 6 + 1 = 7
- Difference = |6 - 1| = 5

So green = 7, red = 5

Similarly, third puzzle:
- Top: 5
- Bottom: 5
- Total = 5 + 5 = 10
- Difference = |5 - 5| = 0

Fourth puzzle:
- Top: 8
- Bottom: 3
- Total = 8 + 3 = 11
- Difference = |8 - 3| = 5

Fifth puzzle:
- Top: 5
- Bottom: 7
- Total = 5 + 7 = 12
- Difference = |5 - 7| = 2

Sixth puzzle:
- Top: 10
- Bottom: 3
- Total = 10 + 3 = 13
- Difference = |10 - 3| = 7

But wait — in the first puzzle, the red box is already filled with 3, which is correct.

So maybe the puzzle is designed so that sometimes one value is given, and we have to deduce the rest?

Wait — but in all cases, both numbers are given in the hexagons.

Let me double-check the image.

Looking at the first puzzle:
- Top hexagon: 5
- Bottom hexagon: 2
- Green box: blank
- Red box: 3

But 5 + 2 = 7 → so green should be 7

But red is already 3 → correct

So why is red given? Maybe it's just to show the pattern.

But in the second puzzle:
- Top: 6
- Bottom: 1
- Green: blank
- Red: blank

So both missing → we compute both.

Wait — but in the third puzzle:
- Top: 5
- Bottom: 5
- Green: blank
- Red: blank

→ Total = 10, Diff = 0

Fourth:
- Top: 8
- Bottom: 3
- Total = 11, Diff = 5

Fifth:
- Top: 5
- Bottom: 7
- Total = 12, Diff = 2

Sixth:
- Top: 10
- Bottom: 3
- Total = 13, Diff = 7

But wait — in the first puzzle, the red box is already filled with 3 — but that's correct.

So perhaps the red box is given, and we are to verify or compute the green?

But that doesn't make sense — because the instruction says "Work out the missing numbers".

So likely, in some puzzles, one of the numbers in the hexagon is missing, and we have to find it using the total and difference.

Wait — but in the image, all hexagons have numbers.

Let me re-express the puzzles clearly.

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🔢 Puzzles:

#### Puzzle 1:
- Top: 5
- Bottom: 2
- Green (Total): ?
- Red (Difference): 3

But 5 + 2 = 7 → Total = 7
|5 - 2| = 3 → Difference = 3 → correct

So green = 7

But red is already given — so only green is missing.

#### Puzzle 2:
- Top: 6
- Bottom: 1
- Green: ?
- Red: ?

So both missing → compute:
- Total = 6 + 1 = 7
- Difference = |6 - 1| = 5

So green = 7, red = 5

#### Puzzle 3:
- Top: 5
- Bottom: 5
- Green: ?
- Red: ?

→ Total = 10, Difference = 0

#### Puzzle 4:
- Top: 8
- Bottom: 3
- Green: ?
- Red: ?

→ Total = 11, Difference = 5

#### Puzzle 5:
- Top: 5
- Bottom: 7
- Green: ?
- Red: ?

→ Total = 12, Difference = 2

#### Puzzle 6:
- Top: 10
- Bottom: 3
- Green: ?
- Red: ?

→ Total = 13, Difference = 7

But wait — in the first puzzle, the red box is already filled with 3 — which is correct.

So why is it filled? Maybe it's a typo or just an example.

But in Puzzle 2, both green and red are blank — so we compute both.

But in Puzzle 1, only green is blank.

Wait — let's look at the actual image again.

Upon close inspection:

In Puzzle 1:
- Top: 5
- Bottom: 2
- Green: blank
- Red: 3 → filled

So only green is missing → we compute total = 5 + 2 = 7

In Puzzle 2:
- Top: 6
- Bottom: 1
- Green: blank
- Red: blank → both missing → compute both

But wait — that would mean in some puzzles, we are given both numbers, and in others, only one?

No — all hexagons have numbers.

Wait — unless the red box is meant to be filled by us, but in Puzzle 1 it's already filled — maybe it's a mistake?

Alternatively, perhaps the numbers in the hexagons are not both given?

Wait — let's check the layout again.

Actually, looking at the image, each puzzle has two hexagons, and both contain numbers.

So all six puzzles have both numbers given.

Therefore, we just compute:

- Total = sum of two numbers
- Difference = absolute difference

Even if one box is pre-filled, we can verify.

But since the instruction is "Work out the missing numbers", and in some puzzles both green and red are blank, we just compute both.

So let’s go through all six puzzles.

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✔ Solutions:

#### Puzzle 1:
- Numbers: 5 and 2
- Total = 5 + 2 = 7
- Difference = |5 - 2| = 3 → already given
- So green = 7

#### Puzzle 2:
- Numbers: 6 and 1
- Total = 6 + 1 = 7
- Difference = |6 - 1| = 5
- So green = 7, red = 5

#### Puzzle 3:
- Numbers: 5 and 5
- Total = 5 + 5 = 10
- Difference = |5 - 5| = 0
- So green = 10, red = 0

#### Puzzle 4:
- Numbers: 8 and 3
- Total = 8 + 3 = 11
- Difference = |8 - 3| = 5
- So green = 11, red = 5

#### Puzzle 5:
- Numbers: 5 and 7
- Total = 5 + 7 = 12
- Difference = |5 - 7| = 2
- So green = 12, red = 2

#### Puzzle 6:
- Numbers: 10 and 3
- Total = 10 + 3 = 13
- Difference = |10 - 3| = 7
- So green = 13, red = 7

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🟩 Final Answers:

| Puzzle | Total (Green) | Difference (Red) |
|--------|----------------|------------------|
| 1 | 7 | 3 (given) |
| 2 | 7 | 5 |
| 3 | 10 | 0 |
| 4 | 11 | 5 |
| 5 | 12 | 2 |
| 6 | 13 | 7 |

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✔ Explanation:

For each puzzle:
1. Add the two numbers in the hexagons to get the Total.
2. Subtract the smaller from the larger to get the Difference (always positive).

This is a great exercise in addition and subtraction, and understanding absolute difference.

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✔ Answer Summary:

- Puzzle 1: Total = 7
- Puzzle 2: Total = 7, Difference = 5
- Puzzle 3: Total = 10, Difference = 0
- Puzzle 4: Total = 11, Difference = 5
- Puzzle 5: Total = 12, Difference = 2
- Puzzle 6: Total = 13, Difference = 7

You can now fill in the blanks accordingly!