Same Numbers, Different Questions Word Problems

Teaching notes for parents and teachers

How to teach it

Read the paired stories together and label what each number means in each story. Compare the unknowns before calculating.

Example to work through together

Use the model below as you explain the example. Have your student point to the quantities as you discuss them.

Ask your student

What changes between the two questions even though the numbers stay the same?

If your student needs help

If the student copies the first operation, ask them to retell the second story in order.

Make a practice set

Select the worksheet, answer key, or both. When both are selected, the answer key prints after the questions. Keep it separate if you want your student to work independently.

After your student finishes

Choose a pair and have the child name the starting amount, change, and final total in both stories. If both equations fit those labels, move on. If the same answer was copied twice, reconstruct the two situations with counters.

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  Word problems

  Find the Starting Amount Word Problems

  Work backward from a final total to find how many there were before.

  6 problems · Answer key included
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  Word problems

  Choose an Equation Word Problems

  Decide whether addition or subtraction finds the missing quantity in the story.

  4 problems · Answer key included
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  Word problems

  Bar Model Word Problems

  Use a whole-and-parts diagram to find the total, the starting amount, or the amount used.

  4 problems · Answer key included

More about addition · Grade 1 worksheets

Grade 1 selected skill connection: 1.OA.A.1 (paired result-unknown and start-unknown stories). See the Common Core standards for this grade. This worksheet does not cover every requirement in the standard.