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Subtraction · Grade 2

2 Digit Subtraction Worksheets With Regrouping

Trade one ten for ten ones, then subtract. Use the worked example to explain the exchange before printing a fresh practice set.

15 problemsAnswer key includedFree printableA4 & US Letter
Generate & printSee the worked example

Why does 42 − 18 need regrouping?

Noah looks at the ones column and says, “I can subtract 2 from 8.” But the problem asks him to take 18 away from 42. Switching the digits changes the subtraction.

Start with 4 tens and 2 ones. There are not enough ones to remove 8 ones, so exchange one ten for 10 ones. Now there are 3 tens and 12 ones. The amount has not changed.

42 = 4 tens + 2 ones
42 = 3 tens + 12 ones
  1. Regroup: 4 tens and 2 ones become 3 tens and 12 ones.
  2. Subtract the ones: 12 − 8 = 4.
  3. Subtract the tens: 3 − 1 = 2. The answer is 24.
  4. Check: 24 + 18 = 42.
If the child gets 34: check whether they remembered that trading one ten leaves 3 tens, not 4. Ask them to point to the ten that was exchanged.

Try one problem together. Ask the child to explain the exchange in their own words before working alone. These problems focus on a single exchange from the tens column; they do not include regrouping across several zeros.

Make a practice set

Choose what to print. Selecting both shows the answer key on screen and prints the questions followed by the answers.

Print materials

After the practice

Ask the child to explain what changed and what stayed the same when a ten was exchanged. Check the ones subtraction and the remaining tens separately. An answer of 34 for 42 − 18 can mean that the child used the original four tens after trading one away. Revisit the drawing before assigning another set.

More about subtraction · Grade 2 worksheets

Grade 2 selected skill connection: 2.NBT.B.5. See the Common Core grade guidance. This worksheet does not cover every requirement in the standard.