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Fifth/Subtraction

Subtraction Word Problems - Comparison

Compare quantities using subtraction to find differences. Students learn to identify 'how many more' and 'how much less' in real-world contexts.
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Study Guide

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Subtraction Word Problems - Comparison preview

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Practice Questions

  1. Mountain A is 842 feet tall. Mountain B is 567 feet tall. How much taller is Mountain A?
    Show answer

    275 feet

  2. Alex has 236 baseball cards. Ben has 189 baseball cards. How many more cards does Alex have?
    Show answer

    47 cards

  3. A blue whale weighs 425 pounds. A dolphin weighs 178 pounds. How much more does the whale weigh?
    Show answer

    247 pounds

  4. The movie theater sold 754 tickets on Saturday and 598 tickets on Sunday. How many more tickets were sold on Saturday?
    Show answer

    156 tickets

  5. City A has a population of 6,428. City B has a population of 4,765. How many more people live in City A?
    Show answer

    1,663 people

Teacher Resources
Lesson Plan

Understanding Subtraction Stories

Standards
1.OA.A.1
Printable Aids
Story Problem TemplateCounters
Teaching Notes

Guide students to identify 'how many more/less' keywords. Encourage drawing models or using number lines to visualize the difference.

Vocabulary
Compare: To see how two things are alike or different.
Difference: How much more one quantity is than another.
Common Mistakes
  • Confusing operation (adding instead of subtracting).
  • Not correctly identifying the two quantities to compare.
  • Errors in basic subtraction facts.
Differentiation
SupportUse manipulatives or number lines to visualize quantities.
ChallengeCreate multi-step comparison problems using larger numbers.
Discussion Questions
  • What words tell you to compare two amounts?
  • How can drawing a picture help solve these problems?
  • When do we use comparison subtraction in daily life?
  • Can you explain the difference between 'more' and 'less' in these problems?
Extension Activities
  • Compare heights of family members.
  • Compare lengths of toys.
  • Compare scores in a game.
Parent Tip

Ask your child to compare the number of objects you both have.

Learning Path
Skill Cluster

Word Problems & Operations

Grade Level

1-3

Skills Practiced
Solve comparison word problemsIdentify larger and smaller quantitiesCalculate difference