Lesson 7.1: Addition and Subtraction up to 20: Number Line & Stories

Use number lines for addition and subtraction within 20 and solve word problems.

⏱️ Reading Time: 15 mins • ❓ 50 Interactive Practice Questions
#AddSubUpTo20 #NumberLine #WordProblems

Addition and Subtraction up to 20: Number Line & Word Problems

Now let's use the power of the Number Line! We hop forward to add and hop backward to subtract.

10 11 12 13 14 15 +3 Hops Forward! 11 + 3 = 14

Number Line Addition: Hopping forward from 11 by 3 brings us to 14

1. Hopping on the Number Line

• To solve 11 + 3: Start at 11 on the number line. Hop forward 3 steps: 12, 13, 14! So 11 + 3 = 14.
• To solve 15 - 4: Start at 15. Hop backward 4 steps: 14, 13, 12, 11! So 15 - 4 = 11.

Hop Rule: Forward = Addition (+). Backward = Subtraction (-).

2. Simple Real-Life Word Problems

Rani has 12 colored pencils. Her mother gives her 5 more colored pencils. How many pencils does Rani have now? 12 + 5 = 17 pencils!

Steps: 1. Read carefully. 2. Identify numbers. 3. Decide if adding or subtracting. 4. Calculate!

💡 Key Learning Takeaways

  • The number line makes adding and subtracting easy visually.
  • Hop right/forward to add; hop left/backward to subtract.
  • Word problems apply maths to real-life daily stories.

🎯 Key Learning Takeaways

Fluency in addition and subtraction up to 20.

📄 Printable Worksheets (10 Available)

Download ready-to-print PDFs for offline student practice with separate parent/teacher answer keys.

WL-G1-C07-W10 A4 • 15 Qs

Addition and Subtraction up to 20 — Worksheet 10

Curriculum Excellence & Final Review

WL-G1-C07-W09 A4 • 15 Qs

Addition and Subtraction up to 20 — Worksheet 9

Mastery Assessment & Progress Check

WL-G1-C07-W08 A4 • 15 Qs

Addition and Subtraction up to 20 — Worksheet 8

Mixed Review & Reinforcement

WL-G1-C07-W07 A4 • 15 Qs

Addition and Subtraction up to 20 — Worksheet 7

Everyday Applications & Story Maths

WL-G1-C07-W06 A4 • 15 Qs

Addition and Subtraction up to 20 — Worksheet 6

Critical Thinking & Deep Understanding

WL-G1-C07-W05 A4 • 15 Qs

Addition and Subtraction up to 20 — Worksheet 5

Speed Challenge & Quick Check

WL-G1-C07-W04 A4 • 15 Qs

Addition and Subtraction up to 20 — Worksheet 4

Problem Solving & Real-Life Stories

WL-G1-C07-W03 A4 • 15 Qs

Addition and Subtraction up to 20 — Worksheet 3

Hands-on Visual Activity & Matching

WL-G1-C07-W02 A4 • 15 Qs

Addition and Subtraction up to 20 — Worksheet 2

Essential Practice & Skill Builder

WL-G1-C07-W01 A4 • 15 Qs

Addition and Subtraction up to 20 — Worksheet 1

Foundational Concepts & Visual Exploration

✍️ Lesson Practice Questions (50 Questions)

Solve these real-world challenges online, test your understanding, and reveal instant step-by-step explanations.

Non-Repetitive Real-Life Maths
1 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
Farmer Dan has 12 sheep. Farmer Ben has 7 sheep. How many sheep must Dan give to Ben so they have different counts by 1?
A All of them
B Calculate difference
C 1 sheep
D None
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 1 sheep
Step-by-Step Explanation: Adjusting by 1 changes the relative difference by 2.
2 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
I am a mystery number. If you add 7 to me, you get 19. Then if you subtract 2, what do you get?
A 10
B 14
C 7
D 12
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 10
Step-by-Step Explanation: The mystery number is 12. Subtracting 2 gives 10.
3 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
If 12 + 7 = 19, what is 7 + 12?
A 19
B 20
C 7
D 12
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 19
Step-by-Step Explanation: Addition is commutative: changing the order of addends does not change the sum.
4 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
Why is 19 greater than 12?
A Because adding 7 positive items increases the total amount
B Because it ends with an odd digit
C Because order doesn't matter
D Because subtraction makes numbers bigger
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: Because adding 7 positive items increases the total amount
Step-by-Step Explanation: Adding any non-zero positive number produces a larger total.
5 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
Sam claims: 'Taking away 7 from 19 gives 26.' What did Sam do wrong?
A He counted backward
B He forgot the tens
C He divided the numbers
D He added instead of subtracting
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: He added instead of subtracting
Step-by-Step Explanation: Taking away means subtraction, but Sam performed addition.
6 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
A student said that 12 + 7 equals 29 because 'we always put 1 in front'. What mistake did the student make?
A They forgot the decimal
B They confused adding numbers with writing digits side by side
C The addition is correct
D They subtracted instead
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: They confused adding numbers with writing digits side by side
Step-by-Step Explanation: Place values must be added together, not concatenated blindly.
7 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
What number completes the pattern: 12, 14, 16, [ ? ]?
A 17
B 18
C 19
D 20
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 18
Step-by-Step Explanation: The pattern adds 2 each time. 16 + 2 = 18.
8 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
Find the missing number: 12 + [ ? ] = 19.
A 7
B 6
C 8
D 12
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 7
Step-by-Step Explanation: Missing number is 7 because 12 + 7 = 19.
9 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
In a garden, there are 12 red butterflies and 7 blue butterflies. How many butterflies are fluttering together?
A 12 butterflies
B 22 butterflies
C 19 butterflies
D 7 butterflies
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 19 butterflies
Step-by-Step Explanation: 12 + 7 = 19 butterflies.
10 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
A school library table had 19 storybooks. Students checked out 7 books. How many books remain on the table?
A 13 books
B 7 books
C 12 books
D 11 books
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 12 books
Step-by-Step Explanation: (19) - 7 = 12 books remain.
11 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
A baker made 12 blueberry muffins in the morning and 7 chocolate muffins in the afternoon. How many muffins did he bake in all?
A 21 muffins
B 12 muffins
C 19 muffins
D 18 muffins
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 19 muffins
Step-by-Step Explanation: 12 + 7 = 19 muffins baked.
12 Multiple Choice
Easy 1 Mark
What is the result of taking away 7 from 19?
A 11
B 12
C 7
D 13
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 12
Step-by-Step Explanation: (19) - 7 = 12.
13 Multiple Choice
Easy 1 Mark
Compare the quantities: 17 [ ? ] 14.
A >
B =
C <
D ≈
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: >
Step-by-Step Explanation: 17 is greater than 14.
14 Multiple Choice
Easy 1 Mark
Which number is 1 more than 19?
A 19
B 18
C 20
D 21
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 20
Step-by-Step Explanation: Adding 1 gives 20.
15 Multiple Choice
Easy 1 Mark
In Chapter 'Addition and Subtraction up to 20', what is 12 + 7?
A 18
B 19
C 21
D 20
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 19
Step-by-Step Explanation: 12 + 7 = 19.
16 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
Farmer Dan has 11 sheep. Farmer Ben has 4 sheep. How many sheep must Dan give to Ben so they have different counts by 1?
A None
B All of them
C Calculate difference
D 1 sheep
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 1 sheep
Step-by-Step Explanation: Adjusting by 1 changes the relative difference by 2.
17 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
I am a mystery number. If you add 4 to me, you get 15. Then if you subtract 2, what do you get?
A 13
B 4
C 11
D 9
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 9
Step-by-Step Explanation: The mystery number is 11. Subtracting 2 gives 9.
18 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
If 11 + 4 = 15, what is 4 + 11?
A 16
B 15
C 11
D 4
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 15
Step-by-Step Explanation: Addition is commutative: changing the order of addends does not change the sum.
19 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
Why is 15 greater than 11?
A Because subtraction makes numbers bigger
B Because adding 4 positive items increases the total amount
C Because order doesn't matter
D Because it ends with an odd digit
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: Because adding 4 positive items increases the total amount
Step-by-Step Explanation: Adding any non-zero positive number produces a larger total.
20 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
Sam claims: 'Taking away 4 from 15 gives 19.' What did Sam do wrong?
A He counted backward
B He divided the numbers
C He forgot the tens
D He added instead of subtracting
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: He added instead of subtracting
Step-by-Step Explanation: Taking away means subtraction, but Sam performed addition.
21 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
A student said that 11 + 4 equals 25 because 'we always put 1 in front'. What mistake did the student make?
A They subtracted instead
B The addition is correct
C They confused adding numbers with writing digits side by side
D They forgot the decimal
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: They confused adding numbers with writing digits side by side
Step-by-Step Explanation: Place values must be added together, not concatenated blindly.
22 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
What number completes the pattern: 11, 13, 15, [ ? ]?
A 18
B 16
C 19
D 17
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 17
Step-by-Step Explanation: The pattern adds 2 each time. 15 + 2 = 17.
23 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
Find the missing number: 11 + [ ? ] = 15.
A 4
B 11
C 3
D 5
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 4
Step-by-Step Explanation: Missing number is 4 because 11 + 4 = 15.
24 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
In a garden, there are 11 red butterflies and 4 blue butterflies. How many butterflies are fluttering together?
A 18 butterflies
B 11 butterflies
C 4 butterflies
D 15 butterflies
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 15 butterflies
Step-by-Step Explanation: 11 + 4 = 15 butterflies.
25 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
A school library table had 15 storybooks. Students checked out 4 books. How many books remain on the table?
A 4 books
B 11 books
C 10 books
D 12 books
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 11 books
Step-by-Step Explanation: (15) - 4 = 11 books remain.
26 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
A baker made 11 blueberry muffins in the morning and 4 chocolate muffins in the afternoon. How many muffins did he bake in all?
A 17 muffins
B 14 muffins
C 11 muffins
D 15 muffins
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 15 muffins
Step-by-Step Explanation: 11 + 4 = 15 muffins baked.
27 Multiple Choice
Easy 1 Mark
What is the result of taking away 4 from 15?
A 12
B 4
C 11
D 10
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 11
Step-by-Step Explanation: (15) - 4 = 11.
28 Multiple Choice
Easy 1 Mark
Compare the quantities: 16 [ ? ] 13.
A >
B <
C ≈
D =
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: >
Step-by-Step Explanation: 16 is greater than 13.
29 Multiple Choice
Easy 1 Mark
Which number is 1 more than 15?
A 14
B 15
C 17
D 16
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 16
Step-by-Step Explanation: Adding 1 gives 16.
30 Multiple Choice
Easy 1 Mark
In Chapter 'Addition and Subtraction up to 20', what is 11 + 4?
A 14
B 17
C 15
D 16
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 15
Step-by-Step Explanation: 11 + 4 = 15.
31 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
Farmer Dan has 10 sheep. Farmer Ben has 9 sheep. How many sheep must Dan give to Ben so they have different counts by 1?
A None
B Calculate difference
C 1 sheep
D All of them
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 1 sheep
Step-by-Step Explanation: Adjusting by 1 changes the relative difference by 2.
32 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
I am a mystery number. If you add 9 to me, you get 19. Then if you subtract 2, what do you get?
A 8
B 10
C 12
D 9
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 8
Step-by-Step Explanation: The mystery number is 10. Subtracting 2 gives 8.
33 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
If 10 + 9 = 19, what is 9 + 10?
A 19
B 9
C 10
D 20
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 19
Step-by-Step Explanation: Addition is commutative: changing the order of addends does not change the sum.
34 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
Why is 19 greater than 10?
A Because adding 9 positive items increases the total amount
B Because subtraction makes numbers bigger
C Because order doesn't matter
D Because it ends with an odd digit
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: Because adding 9 positive items increases the total amount
Step-by-Step Explanation: Adding any non-zero positive number produces a larger total.
35 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
Sam claims: 'Taking away 9 from 19 gives 28.' What did Sam do wrong?
A He divided the numbers
B He forgot the tens
C He counted backward
D He added instead of subtracting
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: He added instead of subtracting
Step-by-Step Explanation: Taking away means subtraction, but Sam performed addition.
36 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
A student said that 10 + 9 equals 29 because 'we always put 1 in front'. What mistake did the student make?
A They forgot the decimal
B They confused adding numbers with writing digits side by side
C They subtracted instead
D The addition is correct
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: They confused adding numbers with writing digits side by side
Step-by-Step Explanation: Place values must be added together, not concatenated blindly.
37 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
What number completes the pattern: 10, 12, 14, [ ? ]?
A 16
B 18
C 17
D 15
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 16
Step-by-Step Explanation: The pattern adds 2 each time. 14 + 2 = 16.
38 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
Find the missing number: 10 + [ ? ] = 19.
A 10
B 8
C 10
D 9
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 9
Step-by-Step Explanation: Missing number is 9 because 10 + 9 = 19.
39 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
In a garden, there are 10 red butterflies and 9 blue butterflies. How many butterflies are fluttering together?
A 9 butterflies
B 19 butterflies
C 22 butterflies
D 10 butterflies
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 19 butterflies
Step-by-Step Explanation: 10 + 9 = 19 butterflies.
40 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
A school library table had 19 storybooks. Students checked out 9 books. How many books remain on the table?
A 11 books
B 9 books
C 9 books
D 10 books
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 10 books
Step-by-Step Explanation: (19) - 9 = 10 books remain.
41 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
A baker made 10 blueberry muffins in the morning and 9 chocolate muffins in the afternoon. How many muffins did he bake in all?
A 10 muffins
B 21 muffins
C 19 muffins
D 18 muffins
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 19 muffins
Step-by-Step Explanation: 10 + 9 = 19 muffins baked.
42 Multiple Choice
Easy 1 Mark
What is the result of taking away 9 from 19?
A 9
B 11
C 9
D 10
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 10
Step-by-Step Explanation: (19) - 9 = 10.
43 Multiple Choice
Easy 1 Mark
Compare the quantities: 15 [ ? ] 12.
A >
B <
C =
D ≈
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: >
Step-by-Step Explanation: 15 is greater than 12.
44 Multiple Choice
Easy 1 Mark
Which number is 1 more than 19?
A 19
B 18
C 20
D 21
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 20
Step-by-Step Explanation: Adding 1 gives 20.
45 Multiple Choice
Easy 1 Mark
In Chapter 'Addition and Subtraction up to 20', what is 10 + 9?
A 18
B 19
C 21
D 20
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 19
Step-by-Step Explanation: 10 + 9 = 19.
46 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
Farmer Dan has 9 sheep. Farmer Ben has 6 sheep. How many sheep must Dan give to Ben so they have different counts by 1?
A Calculate difference
B All of them
C None
D 1 sheep
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 1 sheep
Step-by-Step Explanation: Adjusting by 1 changes the relative difference by 2.
47 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
I am a mystery number. If you add 6 to me, you get 15. Then if you subtract 2, what do you get?
A 9
B 6
C 11
D 7
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 7
Step-by-Step Explanation: The mystery number is 9. Subtracting 2 gives 7.
48 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
If 9 + 6 = 15, what is 6 + 9?
A 16
B 6
C 9
D 15
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: 15
Step-by-Step Explanation: Addition is commutative: changing the order of addends does not change the sum.
49 Multiple Choice
Hard 1 Mark
Why is 15 greater than 9?
A Because subtraction makes numbers bigger
B Because order doesn't matter
C Because adding 6 positive items increases the total amount
D Because it ends with an odd digit
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: Because adding 6 positive items increases the total amount
Step-by-Step Explanation: Adding any non-zero positive number produces a larger total.
50 Multiple Choice
Medium 1 Mark
Sam claims: 'Taking away 6 from 15 gives 21.' What did Sam do wrong?
A He divided the numbers
B He added instead of subtracting
C He forgot the tens
D He counted backward
💡 Click to View Correct Answer & Explanation ▼
Correct Answer: He added instead of subtracting
Step-by-Step Explanation: Taking away means subtraction, but Sam performed addition.
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