Move 1 Matchstick: Two-Digit Equations
A free printable move 1 matchstick: two-digit equations worksheet with an answer key. Each equation with bigger numbers is wrong. Move 1 matchstick to make it true. Great for 3rd grade practice at home or in class.
- Size
- US Letter (8.5 × 11 in), fits A4
- 2 pages: the worksheet and its answer key
- Level
- Grade 3
- License
- Free for personal & classroom use
About this worksheet
A free printable move 1 matchstick: two-digit equations worksheet with an answer key. Each equation with bigger numbers is wrong. Move 1 matchstick to make it true. It is aimed at third grade, around ages 8 to 9.
Answer key at a glance
1) New equation: 42 - 8 = 34; 2) New equation: 57 + 6 = 63; 3) New equation: 49 + 5 = 54; 4) New equation: 31 - 15 = 16; 5) New equation: 53 - 7 = 46; 6) New equation: 23 + 22 = 45.
Tips for using it
- Read the equation out loud first and say what is wrong with it, like 'six plus two is not five'.
- Look at which digits can change with one stick: a 6 can become a 5, 8 or 9, and a minus can become a plus.
- Build the puzzle with toothpicks and test each idea with your hands before drawing the answer.
Printing tips
Download the PDF and print at 100% (or “fit to page” on A4). Page 1 is the worksheet and page 2 is the answer key with the answers in red; print just page 1 if you want to keep the answers for checking. The PNG shows page 1 only. Free for personal, family and classroom use.