One- and two-step word problems within 100 (grade 2) · lesson

One-step problems

💡 Decide if the story puts together or takes apart. Then add or subtract.

24 kids. 8 more join. Join means add: 24 + 8 = 32.

72 apples. 35 are green. The rest are red. 72 − 35 = 37.

🧠 How to think about it

Find the total and the parts. If you know both parts, add. If you know the total and one part, subtract.

🏡 Try it at home

Tell a store story: "You have 50¢. You buy gum for 35¢." How much is left?

💡 Do a two-step story one step at a time, in order.

Max had 45 marbles. He lost 12. Then he won 20.

Step 1: 45 − 12 = 33. Step 2: 33 + 20 = 53.

🧠 How to think about it

Draw a line under each step. Solve the first one. Use that answer to start the second one.

🏡 Try it at home

Count the books on a shelf. Take some off. Put a few back. Find the new total.

💡 The unknown can be the start, the change, or the end.

27 birds flew away. 38 are left. How many were there? 38 + 27 = 65.

Lia has 63, which is 20 more than Kim. So Kim has 63 − 20 = 43.

🧠 How to think about it

Watch out for the word "more". It does not always mean add. Ask who has more. Then decide.

🏡 Try it at home

Hide some coins. Tell your child, "I had some. I spent 25¢. I have 40¢ left."

💡 Length stories use the same units, like inches or feet.

A ribbon is 36 inches. Another is 19 inches. 36 − 19 = 17 inches longer.

Put 18 cm and 9 cm end to end. 18 + 9 = 27 cm.

🧠 How to think about it

Keep the units the same. End to end means add. How much longer means subtract.

🏡 Try it at home

Measure two spoons with a ruler. How much longer is one than the other?

💡 An equation shows the story's numbers in order, with ? for the unknown.

Jo had some. She gave away 15. She has 30 left. That is ? − 15 = 30.

Sam read 28 pages, then more, for 50 in all. That is 28 + ? = 50.

🧠 How to think about it

Write start, change, end. Fill in what you know. Put ? in the empty spot.

🏡 Try it at home

Make up a story with your child. Write it as an equation with a ? for the unknown.