Subtraction Word Problems Worksheet for Elementary Students

Let’s solve each problem one by one, step by step. We’ll read carefully, pick out the numbers we need, and do the right math — mostly subtraction, since this is a “Subtraction Word Problems” sheet.

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Problem 1:
Nancy had thirty dimes and forty-four pennies in her bank. She had borrowed twenty-eight pennies from Nancy. How many pennies does she have now?

Wait — let’s read again: “She had borrowed twenty-eight pennies from Nancy.” That means *someone else* borrowed from Nancy. So Nancy *gave away* 28 pennies.

Nancy started with 44 pennies.
She gave away 28.
So: 44 - 28 = ?

Let’s calculate:
44 - 20 = 24
24 - 8 = 16

✔ Nancy has 16 pennies left.

*(Note: The dimes are not needed for this question — it only asks about pennies.)*

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Problem 2:
Joan grew 33 turnips and 19 watermelons. Benny grew 47 turnips. How many turnips did they grow in total?

We only care about turnips here. Watermelons are extra info.

Joan: 33 turnips
Benny: 47 turnips
Total turnips = 33 + 47

33 + 47 = 80

✔ They grew 80 turnips in total.

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Problem 3:
Jessica picked 25 apples and Tom picked 29 apples. Sandy picked 26 pears. How many apples were picked in all?

Again, ignore the pears — we’re only counting apples.

Jessica: 25 apples
Tom: 29 apples
Total apples = 25 + 29

25 + 29 = 54

✔ 54 apples were picked in all.

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Problem 4:
Tim’s high school played forty-six basketball games this year, thirty-eight of the games were played at night. He attended seventeen games. How many basketball games did Tim miss?

Total games: 46
He attended: 17
Missed = Total - Attended = 46 - 17

46 - 17 = 29

✔ Tim missed 29 games.

*(The number of night games is extra info — not needed.)*

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Problem 5:
Mary had 36 baseball cards, and 5 were torn. Keith bought 10 of Mary’s baseball cards. How many baseball cards does Mary have now?

Start: 36 cards
Keith bought 10 → so Mary loses 10 cards
Torn cards don’t disappear — they’re still hers unless given away or thrown out. The problem doesn’t say she got rid of them, so we don’t subtract them.

So: 36 - 10 = 26

✔ Mary now has 26 baseball cards.

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Problem 6:
Dan found forty-four seashells and thirty-seven starfish on the beach. He gave eighteen of the seashells to Sally. How many seashells does Dan now have?

Only seashells matter here. Starfish are extra.

Started with: 44 seashells
Gave away: 18
Left: 44 - 18 = 26

✔ Dan now has 26 seashells.

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Problem 7:
Sally has thirty-nine yellow and twenty-five red balloons. Jessica took thirteen of Sally’s yellow balloons. How many yellow balloons does Sally now have?

Yellow balloons start: 39
Jessica took 13 → so subtract 13
39 - 13 = 26

✔ Sally now has 26 yellow balloons.

*(Red balloons are not asked about — ignore them.)*

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Problem 8:
Jason has thirty-four books and he has read five of them. Benny has forty-four books. How many books do they have together?

“Together” means add Jason’s books and Benny’s books.

Jason: 34 books
Benny: 44 books
Total = 34 + 44 = 78

✔ Together, they have 78 books.

*(How many Jason read is extra info — not needed.)*

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Problem 9:
There are 49 rulers and 15 pencils in the drawer. Fred placed 24 more rulers in the drawer. How many rulers are now there in total?

Start with 49 rulers
Add 24 more → 49 + 24

49 + 24 = 73

✔ Now there are 73 rulers in total.

*(Pencils are extra — not needed.)*

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Problem 10:
There are 39 rose bushes and 17 popular trees currently in the park. Park workers will plant 42 more rose bushes today. How many rose bushes will the park have when the workers are finished?

Start: 39 rose bushes
Add: 42 more
Total = 39 + 42 = 81

✔ The park will have 81 rose bushes.

*(Trees are extra info — not needed.)*

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Final Answer:
1) 16
2) 80
3) 54
4) 29
5) 26
6) 26
7) 26
8) 78
9) 73
10) 81