Math Drills
Working Backward Word Problems worksheets for Grade 2 (Elementary School)
What this unit covers
Rather than following a situation forward, children run it backward from the result to find the starting amount. For situations where an amount increased and for situations where it decreased, finding the size of the change and finding the starting amount are combined so that one consistent line of reasoning takes hold.
Reading a situation such as I was given 3 more and now have 12 as an addition, and answering 12 + 3 = 15, is common. The assumption that an increase means addition pushes every answer to the high side. The same assumption works in reverse for decreases, where subtracting anyway leaves the number too small.
Learning steps
Increasing Situations
- Finding the Amount Added
- Finding the Starting Amount
Decreasing Situations
- Finding the Amount Removed
- Finding the Starting Amount
Worksheets
Increasing Situations
Decreasing Situations
Related study guides
- What Children Who Can't Do Word Problems Have in Common — Behind "But the Arithmetic Is Fine"
Full marks on calculation sheets, and then the hand stops on word problems. The cause isn't vague "reading ability" but specific, identifiable stumbles. Here's how to tell them apart and what to do at home.
Frequently asked questions
- What do the “Working Backward Word Problems” worksheets for Grade 2 (Elementary School) practice?
- They cover problems such as Finding the Amount Added, Finding the Starting Amount, Finding the Amount Removed.
- How many “Working Backward Word Problems” worksheets are there for Grade 2 (Elementary School)?
- 11 worksheets are free to use. Every one is a printable PDF and comes with an answer key.