Subtraction Activities - Free Printable

Let’s solve each subtraction problem step by step using the “count back” method shown with the caterpillars.

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Problem 1: 12 - 8 = ?

Start at 12 on the number line (the blue caterpillar). Count backward 8 steps:

12 → 11 → 10 → 9 → 8 → 7 → 6 → 5 → 4

Wait — let’s count carefully:

Step 1: 12 - 1 = 11
Step 2: 11 - 1 = 10
Step 3: 10 - 1 = 9
Step 4: 9 - 1 = 8
Step 5: 8 - 1 = 7
Step 6: 7 - 1 = 6
Step 7: 6 - 1 = 5
Step 8: 5 - 1 = 4

✔ So, 12 - 8 = 4

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Problem 2: 6 - 1 = ?

Start at 6. Count back 1 step:

6 → 5

✔ So, 6 - 1 = 5

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Problem 3: 5 - 4 = ?

Start at 5. Count back 4 steps:

5 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 1

✔ So, 5 - 4 = 1

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Problem 4: 8 - 8 = ?

Start at 8. Count back 8 steps:

8 → 7 → 6 → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 1 → 0

✔ So, 8 - 8 = 0

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Problem 5: 15 - 11 = ?

This one is already filled in as 4 — let’s check it.

Start at 15. Count back 11 steps:

15 → 14 → 13 → 12 → 11 → 10 → 9 → 8 → 7 → 6 → 5 → 4

Yes! After 11 steps, we land on 4.

✔ So, 15 - 11 = 4 (correct as written)

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Final Answer:
12 - 8 = 4
6 - 1 = 5
5 - 4 = 1
8 - 8 = 0
15 - 11 = 4