🧩 Subtraction with Borrowing – The Math Escape Room
Welcome to the Math Escape Room! Today you will face tricky subtraction problems. But don’t worry — you will learn how to “borrow” numbers to solve them step by step.
Borrowing happens when a top digit is smaller than the bottom digit. Then we take 1 from the next column to help us solve the problem.
📌 What is Borrowing?
Sometimes we cannot subtract directly. For example:
Example: 12 − 5
We cannot do 2 − 5, so we borrow 1 from the 10s place.
- 12 becomes 10 + 2
- Borrow 1 ten → now we have 12 in ones
- 12 − 5 = 7
🔐 Mission 1 – Unlock the Door
Solve these to escape:
- 12 − 4 = ___
- 13 − 6 = ___
- 14 − 7 = ___
- 15 − 8 = ___
- 16 − 9 = ___
🧠 Mission 2 – Borrowing Steps
Follow the steps carefully.
Example: 21 − 8
- 1 is smaller than 8 → we borrow
- 21 becomes 10 + 11
- 11 − 8 = 3
- 2 becomes 1 after borrowing
- Final answer: 13
Solve these:
- 22 − 5 = ___
- 23 − 7 = ___
- 24 − 6 = ___
- 25 − 8 = ___
- 26 − 9 = ___
🚪 Mission 3 – Final Escape Puzzle
These are the hardest ones. Think carefully!
- 31 − 9 = ___
- 32 − 8 = ___
- 41 − 7 = ___
- 52 − 6 = ___
📘 Answers
Mission 1
- 8
- 7
- 7
- 7
- 7
Mission 2
- 17
- 16
- 18
- 17
- 17
Mission 3
- 22
- 24
- 34
- 46
💡 Final Message
You escaped the Math Room! Borrowing is tricky at first, but with practice it becomes easy. This skill is very important for solving bigger math problems.
Keep practicing — every step makes you faster and smarter in math.
⬅ Back to Addition with CarryMath is like a puzzle game — and you are becoming a master player!
Download Free Worksheet
Download a printable worksheet to practice subtraction with borrowing at home or in the classroom.
Download PDF WorksheetWhy Practice Subtraction with Borrowing?
This free lesson on subtraction with borrowing is designed for first grade and early elementary students. It combines clear explanations, examples, and exercises children can solve at their own pace.
Understanding two-digit subtraction builds a strong foundation for harder math topics later. Parents and teachers can use this page in class or at home as supplementary practice.
After the lesson, children can download worksheets or play linked interactive games to reinforce the same skill through repetition and visual learning.
Lesson Benefits
- Simple explanations for young learners
- Practice exercises with answers included
- Printable worksheet available
- Links to free online math games
- No registration required
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this lesson free?
Yes, all lessons on IloveMath are free.
What age is it for?
Mainly first grade and early elementary school.
How long should practice take?
10–15 minutes per session is usually enough.