Take Away Matchsticks to Fix the Equation
A free printable take away matchsticks to fix the equation worksheet with an answer key. Take away the number of matchsticks shown to make each equation true. Cross them out. Great for 2nd 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 2
- License
- Free for personal & classroom use
About this worksheet
A free printable take away matchsticks to fix the equation worksheet with an answer key. Take away the number of matchsticks shown to make each equation true. Cross them out. It fits second grade, around ages 7 to 8. Count back on your fingers or the number line for the hardest facts.
Answer key at a glance
1) Take away 1 New equation: 7 - 2 = 5; 2) Take away 1 New equation: 7 - 7 = 0; 3) Take away 1 New equation: 6 + 0 = 6; 4) Take away 2 New equation: 6 - 6 = 0; 5) Take away 2 New equation: 5 - 3 = 2; 6) Take away 2 New equation: 2 + 7 = 9.
Tips for using it
- Check each answer by adding it back to the number taken away.
- 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.
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