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Maths Quiz - Year 2 Calculation - Subtraction Problems (Questions)

Use story clues to decide when to subtract. Spot words like left or gave away, then use − to find how many remain.

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(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

When you spot minus words, you know to subtract: “12 apples, give away 5” → 12 − 5 = 7.

In KS1 Maths, subtraction problems are short stories about taking away or having fewer. Look for clue words, choose the − operation, and use drawings, number lines, or counters to solve.

Key Terms

Subtract (−): Take away from a total to find how many are left.
Difference: The gap between two numbers, found by subtracting.
Counting Back: A method to subtract by jumping backwards on a number line.

Warm up first: try the Subtraction Game before starting the quiz.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What words tell me a problem is subtraction?

Words like left, take away, gave away, spent, fewer, and how many are left usually mean use the − operation.

How can I solve KS1 subtraction word problems?

Underline the clue words, choose −, then draw, count back on a number line, or use counters to find how many remain.

What does “find the difference” mean for children?

It means work out how far apart two amounts are by subtracting the smaller from the larger, for example 15 − 9 = 6.

Try These Related Quizzes

1.

I have 12 books and lend 4 to my friend. How many books do I have left?

[ ]	4
[ ]	8
[ ]	6
[ ]	10

2.

What is 15 minus 9?

[ ]	6
[ ]	8
[ ]	9
[ ]	5

3.

Kim is given £20 for her birthday. Jake gets £12 less than this. How much does Jake get?

[ ]	£20
[ ]	£12
[ ]	£10
[ ]	£8

4.

What is 9 subtracted from 18?

[ ]	11
[ ]	10
[ ]	8
[ ]	9

5.

What is the difference between 13 and 22?

[ ]	One is odd, one is even
[ ]	One is larger than the other
[ ]	The difference is 9
[ ]	One is smaller then the other

6.

I buy 24 cakes. My brother eats 6, I eat 4 and mum eats 7. How many cakes are left?

[ ]	9
[ ]	6
[ ]	8
[ ]	7

7.

18 minus 12 = 10 - ?

[ ]	4
[ ]	6
[ ]	3
[ ]	5

8.

I buy a tray of 20 eggs. Omelettes need 2 eggs each. How many eggs will be left if I make 5 omelettes?

[ ]	11
[ ]	9
[ ]	10
[ ]	20

9.

A piece of rope measures 90cm. I cut off a piece measuring 25cm and another piece measuring 20cm. How much rope is left?

[ ]	45cm
[ ]	40cm
[ ]	50cm
[ ]	55cm

10.

Sarah walks 15 miles. Fran walks 9 miles. How much further than Fran has Sarah walked?

[ ]	8 miles
[ ]	7 miles
[ ]	5 miles
[ ]	6 miles

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Adding and subtracting

Maths Quiz - Year 2 Calculation - Subtraction Problems (Answers)

1.

I have 12 books and lend 4 to my friend. How many books do I have left?

[ ]	4
[x]	8
[ ]	6
[ ]	10

12 - 4 = 8 so 8 books are left

2.

What is 15 minus 9?

[x]	6
[ ]	8
[ ]	9
[ ]	5

Minus means to take away

3.

Kim is given £20 for her birthday. Jake gets £12 less than this. How much does Jake get?

[ ]	£20
[ ]	£12
[ ]	£10
[x]	£8

Counting back from the larger number to the smaller one is useful when finding 'less than'

4.

What is 9 subtracted from 18?

[ ]	11
[ ]	10
[ ]	8
[x]	9

Subtract means to take away

5.

What is the difference between 13 and 22?

[ ]	One is odd, one is even
[ ]	One is larger than the other
[x]	The difference is 9
[ ]	One is smaller then the other

The other 3 options are true but in maths 'difference' means to take away. To find the difference between two numbers, subtract the smaller from the larger

6.

I buy 24 cakes. My brother eats 6, I eat 4 and mum eats 7. How many cakes are left?

[ ]	9
[ ]	6
[ ]	8
[x]	7

17 cakes are eaten, so 24 - 17 = 7

7.

18 minus 12 = 10 - ?

[x]	4
[ ]	6
[ ]	3
[ ]	5

The two subtractions should give the same answer, which is 6

8.

I buy a tray of 20 eggs. Omelettes need 2 eggs each. How many eggs will be left if I make 5 omelettes?

[ ]	11
[ ]	9
[x]	10
[ ]	20

20 - (5 x 2) = 10

9.

A piece of rope measures 90cm. I cut off a piece measuring 25cm and another piece measuring 20cm. How much rope is left?

[x]	45cm
[ ]	40cm
[ ]	50cm
[ ]	55cm

90 - 25 = 65.
65 - 20 = 45

10.

Sarah walks 15 miles. Fran walks 9 miles. How much further than Fran has Sarah walked?

[ ]	8 miles
[ ]	7 miles
[ ]	5 miles
[x]	6 miles

15 - 9 = 6