Find the Minuend

This subtraction worksheet provides 30 problems in which the minuend (the starting number) is missing. Students must analyze each equation and determine the value that, when a given number is subtracted, produces the stated result. The mix of tens and small three-digit numbers offers balanced challenge while keeping problems accessible. This structure promotes reversible thinking and a deeper understanding of how subtraction equations are constructed.

Instructional Objectives

• Skill Focus (Grades 3-5): Solve subtraction equations with a missing minuend using accurate reasoning.
• Conceptual Understanding (Grades 3-5): Strengthen understanding of subtraction structure by rebuilding equations from the difference and subtrahend.
• Algebraic Reasoning (Grades 4-5): Develop early algebra skills by solving for unknown starting values and maintaining equality.
• Curriculum Alignment (Grades 3-5): Supports missing-minuend problems, mixed tens and hundreds subtraction, and critical reasoning with unknowns.

Repeated practice helps students become fluent with this equation type while still requiring thoughtful analysis. Teachers may also use number-line models or inverse-operation strategies to support reasoning.

Learning Benefits

• Builds confidence solving subtraction equations with unknown starting values
• Reinforces inverse operations and reversible thinking
• Strengthens number sense with tens and hundreds
• Ideal for practice, review, algebra readiness, or skill checks

This printable worksheet delivers meaningful, confidence-building practice that helps students master missing-minuend subtraction while strengthening reasoning skills essential for advanced arithmetic and early algebra.

This worksheet is part of our Missing Number Subtraction Worksheets collection.