Find the Missing Number — Hospital Things — Grade 1

"Some beds, bandages and a stethoscope were here, this many are left — how many went away?" That is every row of this sheet. The child finds the missing part by counting up from what remains to the starting group, or by recalling the take-away that fits. Working subtraction from the result backward is the Grade 1 step this practises, with the amounts held within twenty so a child can always count to be sure — the pictured hospital things make that check quick and concrete.

Change-unknown subtraction builds the idea that start, change, and result are linked — that knowing two of them gives the third. A child who finds the amount removed is reasoning about that relationship, not just performing a take-away, which is exactly the Grade 1 growth this targets. Pictured hospital things and within-twenty numbers keep it concrete.

Children who like hospital things take to the puzzle of working backward, and it suits a child ready for a little more than plain take-away. When this feels easy, try find the missing number with insects and bugs, or find the missing number with pets. You can also browse every subtraction worksheet or the whole hospital things collection for grade 1 — each sheet prints cleanly in black and white or plays online for free.