Grade 2, Operations

Subtract 2-digit numbers

Subtract 2-digit numbers with any strategy, with and without bridging a ten.

Three levels

One skill, rising difficulty

Each sheet carries one level. The three are the same skill at rising difficulty, each named for what it practises.

Level 1: Without bridging a ten
Subtract. Use any strategy that works for you.
Level 2: Bridging a ten
Subtract. Use any strategy that works for you.
Level 3: Mixed
Subtract. Use any strategy that works for you.

Worked example

How the sheet explains it

The helper printed at the top of each sheet: one solved example and the steps a student follows, before the first question. Every number sentence in it is proven by the same checker as the answer key.

Level 1: Without bridging a ten

68 − 25 = 43

  1. Break 25 into tens and ones: 25 = 20 + 5.
  2. Take away the tens: 68 − 20 = 48.
  3. Take away the ones: 48 − 5 = 43.

Level 2: Bridging a ten

72 − 38 = 34

  1. Add up from 38 to a friendly number: 38 + 2 = 40.
  2. Then 40 + 30 = 70 and 70 + 2 = 72.
  3. The jumps are 2 + 30 + 2 = 34, so 72 − 38 = 34.

Level 3: Mixed

83 − 29 = 54

  1. 29 is close to 30, so take away 30: 83 − 30 = 53.
  2. You took away 1 too many, so add it back: 53 + 1 = 54.
  3. So 83 − 29 = 54.

Goes with

Reference sheets

One-page helpers a student keeps beside this sheet:

  • Addition and subtraction strategies

Every reference, facts and support sheet is listed in the worksheet catalogue.

In the BC curriculum

Content standards

The British Columbia content standard this skill is written for, by the codes used across this site:

  • bc.math.2.c.4

The wording of each standard is on the Province's mathematics curriculum page.

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Back to all worksheets by grade, or read the Grade 2 guide to what this grade learns in British Columbia.