This worksheet is designed to help students practice
subtraction using base ten blocks, which are visual tools representing numbers in groups of tens and ones. Each problem shows a visual representation of numbers using rods (tens) and individual dots or squares (ones), followed by a subtraction equation.
Let’s go through each problem step-by-step, explaining how the base ten blocks represent the numbers and how the subtraction is performed.
---
🔹 Problem 1:
Visual:
- 3 red rods (each rod = 10) → 3 × 10 = 30
- Minus 5 individual dots (ones) → 5
Equation:
`30 - 5 = 25`
✔ Explanation:
You start with 30 (three tens). You subtract 5 ones. Since you don’t have enough ones to subtract from, you just remove 5 ones from the total.
30 – 5 = 25
---
🔹 Problem 2:
Visual:
- 6 yellow rods → 6 × 10 = 60
- Minus 12: 1 rod (10) and 2 dots (2) → 10 + 2 = 12
Equation:
`60 - 12 = 48`
✔ Explanation:
Start with 60. Subtract 12.
60 – 10 = 50, then 50 – 2 = 48
So, 60 – 12 = 48
---
🔹 Problem 3:
Visual:
- 5 green rods → 5 × 10 = 50
- Minus 8 individual dots → 8
Equation:
`50 - 8 = 42`
✔ Explanation:
You can't subtract 8 ones from 50 if you only have 0 ones. So, you "break" one ten into 10 ones.
Now you have 4 tens and 10 ones.
Subtract 8 ones → 10 – 8 = 2 ones left
So, 4 tens and 2 ones = 42
Thus, 50 – 8 = 42
---
🔹 Problem 4:
Visual:
- 10 purple rods → 10 × 10 = 100
- Minus 7 individual dots → 7
Equation:
`100 - 7 = 93`
✔ Explanation:
You have 100. Subtract 7 ones.
Break one ten into 10 ones → now you have 9 tens and 10 ones.
10 – 7 = 3 ones left
So, 9 tens and 3 ones = 93
Thus, 100 – 7 = 93
---
🔹 Problem 5:
Visual:
- 4 blue rods → 4 × 10 = 40
- Minus 3 individual dots → 3
Equation:
`40 - 3 = 37`
✔ Explanation:
Start with 40. Break one ten into 10 ones → now 3 tens and 10 ones.
Subtract 3 ones → 10 – 3 = 7 ones
So, 3 tens and 7 ones = 37
Thus, 40 – 3 = 37
---
🔹 Problem 6:
Visual:
- 4 teal rods → 4 × 10 = 40
- Minus 2 teal rods → 2 × 10 = 20
Equation:
`40 - 20 = 20`
✔ Explanation:
Subtracting 2 tens from 4 tens → 4 – 2 = 2 tens → 20
So, 40 – 20 = 20
---
✔ Summary of All Answers:
| Problem | Equation | Answer |
|--------|------------------|--------|
| 1 | 30 – 5 = ? | 25 |
| 2 | 60 – 12 = ? | 48 |
| 3 | 50 – 8 = ? | 42 |
| 4 | 100 – 7 = ? | 93 |
| 5 | 40 – 3 = ? | 37 |
| 6 | 40 – 20 = ? | 20 |
---
📌 Key Concept:
Base ten blocks help visualize place value:
- A
rod = 10
- A
dot/square = 1
When subtracting, if you don’t have enough ones, you
exchange one ten for ten ones (regrouping).
This method builds foundational understanding for multi-digit subtraction.
---
✔ The answer key provided on the worksheet is correct and matches the visual representations.
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or a student-friendly explanation!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of subtraction with base ten blocks worksheet.
