Missing Whole Subtraction Within 20
Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher
"Missing Whole Subtraction Within 20" is written for 1st Grade (Ages 6-7), and it covers Common Core 1.OA.D.8. If your little one is a year younger but already steady on subtraction, the page still works. You may just need to read the instructions out loud. And if they are older and subtract within 1-20 never quite stuck, this is a short review rather than busywork.


1st grade math worksheet: find the missing whole in subtraction facts within 20, such as what minus 6 is 7. Answer key included. Part of our subtract within 1-20 subtraction collection. Aligned to Common Core standards.
How do I use this worksheet?
Before handing out the worksheet, briefly introduce the concept with a short oral warm-up or a visual model on the board. Let students work through the first item together as a class, then finish the rest independently or with a partner, encouraging them to talk through their thinking: "What strategy are you using? How do you know that is right?" After completing the worksheet, review any missed problems together and discuss the reasoning rather than just the answer. For extra support, let students use manipulatives or draw pictures alongside the written problems. These subtract within 1-20 worksheets work well as daily practice, homework, or a focused review activity.
What students will practice
- Students will recognize and apply subtract within 1-20 concepts using number lines, ten-frames, and drawn models.
- Students will solve problems involving subtract within 1-20 with increasing accuracy and confidence.
- Students will connect subtract within 1-20 skills to real-world situations and explain their reasoning clearly.
Curriculum Links
Common Core State Standards
Operations and Algebraic Thinking · 1st Grade
Standard: Determine the unknown whole number in an addition or subtraction equation relating three whole numbers.
View all 1.OA.D.8 worksheets →Find this in the curriculum
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FAQ
How do I use this subtract within 1-20 worksheet?
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Before handing out the worksheet, briefly introduce the concept with a short oral warm-up or a visual model on the board. Let students work through the first item together as a class, then finish the rest independently or with a partner, encouraging them to talk through their thinking: "What strategy are you using? How do you know that is right?" After completing the worksheet, review any missed problems together and discuss the reasoning rather than just the answer. For extra support, let students use manipulatives or draw pictures alongside the written problems. These subtract within 1-20 worksheets work well as daily practice, homework, or a focused review activity.
What does this worksheet teach?
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Find the missing whole in subtraction facts within 20, such as what minus 6 is 7. The difference is the answer when you subtract. Add the two numbers you know to find the starting number. The directions on the page read: Find the missing number. Then, write it in the box. The answer key shows every answer.
Can I use this subtract within 1-20 worksheet for homeschool or classroom?
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Yes, both. We made it for 1st Grade subtraction, and the page works the same whether it lands on a kitchen table or a center rotation. At home, most families go through it together and talk the answers out loud, and that talking is where most of the learning happens with subtract within 1-20. In class it runs well as independent work while you pull a small group. Print one copy or thirty, whichever the day needs.
What does 'subtract within 20' mean for 1st graders?
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It means students can solve any subtraction problem where the minuend is 20 or less, using strategies or eventually recalling facts automatically.
How does working within 20 prepare students for 2nd grade?
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Fluency within 20 allows 2nd graders to tackle two-digit subtraction without getting bogged down in basic fact recall.
Which CCSS standard covers subtraction within 20 for 1st grade?
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CCSS 1.OA.C.6 requires students to add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for subtraction within 10 by end of 1st grade.
What subtraction skills should a first grader have?
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First graders should subtract within 20 using strategies like counting back, using related addition facts, and making ten (CCSS 1.OA.C.6). They should also understand the relationship between addition and subtraction and solve comparison word problems.
How can I help my first grader who struggles with subtraction?
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Use number lines and hundred charts to make subtraction visual. Practice fact families (e.g., 3+4=7, 7-4=3) to show how addition and subtraction are connected. Start with subtraction within 10 before moving to larger numbers. Consistent daily practice with worksheets builds confidence.
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Worksheet Details
| Grade | 1st Grade |
| Subject | Math |
| Topic | Subtraction |
| Standard | 1.OA.D.8 |
| Pages | 1 page |
| Difficulty | Medium |
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