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This Subtracting Multiples Of 10 drill has 40 problems for Grade 1. Chess theme. Answer key included.
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Max must move 60 pawns across the giant chessboard before the evil knight captures the castle!
Standard: CCSS.MATH.1.NBT.C.6
Subtracting multiples of 10 is a cornerstone skill that helps first graders recognize patterns in our number system and build mental math confidence. When children can quickly subtract 10, 20, or 30 from a number, they're learning that the ones place stays the same while only the tens place changes—a concept that makes all future subtraction easier. This skill directly supports their ability to count money, measure items in real-world contexts, and solve word problems independently. At ages 6 and 7, children's brains are primed to spot these kinds of patterns, and mastering multiples of 10 gives them a reliable strategy they can use without counting on fingers. This foundation also reduces math anxiety because students discover they can solve problems quickly and accurately, which builds the persistence they'll need for more complex math.
The most common error is that first graders subtract 10 by removing one from every digit—for example, solving 35 − 10 as 24 instead of 25. This happens because students haven't yet internalized that only the tens place changes. You'll also see children count backward by ones instead of tens, turning a quick mental task into a slow, error-prone process. Another red flag is when students confuse "multiples of 10" with single-digit subtraction, writing 35 − 10 as 35 − 1 = 34. Watch for hesitation or finger-counting; these signal the child needs to revisit place-value blocks or bundled objects before moving forward.
Use a real coin-counting activity at home: give your child a handful of pennies and dimes, and ask them to count out 35 cents, then remove one dime (subtract 10). Repeat with different starting amounts and ask, "What changed? Just the tens or the ones too?" This tangible, playful approach reinforces the pattern without worksheets and naturally connects to money literacy. Do this for just 3–5 minutes when your child is alert and willing, and celebrate the discovery when they notice the ones stay the same.