Solving 'Fewer Than' Word Problems

Math Grades 1st Grade 2:11 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn how to solve math word problems where you need to find out 'how many fewer'. We'll use subtraction to find the answer!

Video Resource

Fewer word problems | Addition and subtraction within 100 | Early Math | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Duration: 2:11
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Subtraction
  • Word Problems
  • Place Value (Tens and Ones)
  • Understanding 'Fewer Than'

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify 'fewer than' scenarios in word problems.
  • Students will be able to solve subtraction word problems within 100.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know what 'fewer than' means. Use simple examples like 'I have 3 apples, and you have 1 fewer than me. How many apples do you have?' Briefly review subtraction facts within 20.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video 'Fewer word problems | Addition and subtraction within 100 | Early Math | Khan Academy'. Encourage students to follow along and pause the video if needed to understand the steps.
  • Guided Practice (10 mins)
    Work through the example problem from the video together as a class. Ask students to explain each step in their own words. Focus on why subtraction is used to solve 'fewer than' problems.
  • Independent Practice (10 mins)
    Provide students with similar word problems to solve independently. Example: 'Lily has 65 stickers. Tom has 22 fewer stickers than Lily. How many stickers does Tom have?'
  • Wrap-up (3 mins)
    Review the answers to the independent practice problems. Reiterate the key concept: 'Fewer than' means we need to subtract.

Interactive Exercises

  • Number Line Subtraction
    Use a number line to visually represent the subtraction process in the word problems. Students can physically jump back the specified number of units.
  • Manipulative Subtraction
    Use blocks or counters to represent the numbers in the word problems. Students can physically remove the correct number to find the answer.

Discussion Questions

  • What does 'fewer than' mean?
  • How does subtraction help us solve 'fewer than' problems?
  • Can you think of a time when you had 'fewer than' something?

Skills Developed

  • Problem-solving
  • Subtraction
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does 'fewer than' mean?

Correct Answer: Less than

Question 2:

Sarah has 10 toys. Ben has 3 fewer toys. How many toys does Ben have?

Correct Answer: 7

Question 3:

Which of these helps us solve 'fewer than' problems?

Correct Answer: Subtracting

Question 4:

There are 15 birds in a tree. 5 flew away. Now there are how many fewer birds than before?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 5:

Mike has 20 crayons. Lisa has 10 fewer crayons. How many crayons does Lisa have?

Correct Answer: 10

Question 6:

If you have 8 candies and give away 2, do you have more or fewer candies?

Correct Answer: Fewer

Question 7:

John has 12 cookies. He eats 4. How many fewer cookies does he have now?

Correct Answer: 4

Question 8:

A class has 25 students. If 5 are absent, how many fewer students are there than if everyone was there?

Correct Answer: 5

Question 9:

A farmer has 40 sheep. He sells 10. How many fewer sheep does he have now?

Correct Answer: 10

Question 10:

What number is 5 fewer than 15?

Correct Answer: 10

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

'Fewer than' means you have ____.

Correct Answer: less

Question 2:

To solve 'fewer than' problems, we ____.

Correct Answer: subtract

Question 3:

If Amy has 7 pencils and Ben has 2 fewer, Ben has ____ pencils.

Correct Answer: 5

Question 4:

8 is 3 _____ than 11.

Correct Answer: fewer

Question 5:

If you have 15 candies and eat 6, you have ____ fewer candies.

Correct Answer: 6

Question 6:

20 is 5 _______ than 25

Correct Answer: fewer

Question 7:

Sally has 10 balloons, but 3 pop. Now she has _____ fewer balloons

Correct Answer: 3

Question 8:

We _______ when we have less of something than before.

Correct Answer: subtract

Question 9:

A number that is smaller is ______ than a number that is bigger

Correct Answer: fewer

Question 10:

14 is 6 ______ than 20

Correct Answer: fewer

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.C.4:Add within 100, including adding a two-digit number and a one-digit number, and adding a two-digit number and a multiple of 10, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used. Understand that in adding two-digit numbers, one adds tens and tens, ones and ones; and sometimes it is necessary to compose a ten.

Teaching Materials

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