First Grade · Math · week 23

Compare problems: how many more?

Solve "how many more" or "how many fewer" comparison word problems using subtraction.

A comparison story asks how two amounts are different, using words like "how many MORE" or "how many FEWER." "Sam has 8 stickers. Ana has 5. How many more does Sam have?" You subtract to find the difference: 8 - 5 = 3.

The difference is the gap between the two amounts. Subtracting the smaller number from the bigger number always finds it.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Line up two rows of objects, one for each person or group, and count the extra ones sticking out -- that IS the difference.
  • Watch for the word "fewer," which needs the same subtraction as "more," just asked from the other direction.
  • Always identify the bigger and smaller amount first, before subtracting.
  • Answer in a full sentence naming who has more and by how many.
Talk about it:
  • What operation do you use for a "how many more" question?
  • How is "how many fewer" different from "how many more"?
  • Can you set up two rows of objects to show a comparison?

Mastery looks like: They solve comparison word problems by subtracting the smaller amount from the bigger amount.

Common stumbles: Adding instead of subtracting; subtracting in the wrong order, when bigger minus smaller is always correct here.

See it visually

Interactive, spoken-aloud tools that show this idea in motion.

Counting & Ten-FramesCount objects in ten-frames and base-ten blocks, one tap at a time.try →SubtractionTake away and count back, step by step.try →
Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
Records attendance + 15 min of Math for this learner.
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