Solved Exercises on Word Problems With No Numbers in Grade 2

Master word problems with no numbers: addition and subtraction word problems with missing numbers through these 5 detailed exercises.

Solution: Exercises 1 to 3
1 Addition word problem with missing number
Exercise 1
Sarah has some apples. Her mom gives her more apples. Now Sarah has 15 apples. How many apples did her mom give her if Sarah started with 7 apples?
Definition:

Word problem with missing number: A word problem where some information is represented by words instead of numbers

Word problem solving method:
  1. Read the problem carefully
  2. Identify what is known and what is unknown
  3. Determine the operation needed
  4. Replace words with variables or numbers where possible
  5. Set up the equation
  6. Solve the equation
  7. Verify the answer
Problem
7 + ? = 15
Setup
Starting amount + Added amount = Final amount
Result
8
Step 1: Read and understand the problem

Sarah has "some apples" (unknown amount)

Her mom gives her "more apples" (unknown amount)

Now Sarah has 15 apples (known final amount)

We're told Sarah started with 7 apples

We need to find how many her mom gave her

Step 2: Identify known and unknown values

Known: Sarah started with 7 apples

Known: Sarah ended with 15 apples

Unknown: How many apples her mom gave her

Step 3: Set up the equation

Starting apples + Mom's apples = Final apples

7 + ? = 15

Step 4: Solve for the missing number

To find ?, subtract: 15 - 7 = ?

15 - 7 = 8

Step 5: Verify the answer

7 + 8 = 15 ✓

Step 6: Write the answer in context

Her mom gave her 8 apples.

Her mom gave her 8 apples.
Final answer:

Her mom gave her 8 apples.

Applied rules:

• Missing addend: When you know the sum and one addend, subtract to find the missing addend

• Verification: Always check that your answer makes the equation true

• Context: Always answer in the context of the problem

Word Problem With Missing Number
📊
Given Information

Sarah started with: 7 apples

Sarah ended with: 15 apples

Unknown: Mom's apples

Equation Setup

7 + ? = 15

? = 15 - 7

? = 8

Verification

7 + 8 = 15 ✓

Answer is correct!

2 Subtraction word problem with missing number
Exercise 2
A store had many books on the shelf. Some books were sold. Now there are 23 books left. If the store sold 15 books, how many books were there at first?
Definition:

Subtraction word problem with missing number: A word problem where the starting amount is unknown and subtraction is used to find it

Problem
? - 15 = 23
Setup
Starting amount - Sold amount = Remaining amount
Result
38
Step 1: Read and understand the problem

The store had "many books" (unknown starting amount)

Some books were sold (15 books)

Now there are 23 books left

We need to find how many books were there at first

Step 2: Identify known and unknown values

Known: 15 books were sold

Known: 23 books are left

Unknown: Starting number of books

Step 3: Set up the equation

Starting books - Sold books = Remaining books

? - 15 = 23

Step 4: Solve for the missing number

To find ?, add: 23 + 15 = ?

23 + 15 = 38

Step 5: Verify the answer

38 - 15 = 23 ✓

Step 6: Write the answer in context

There were 38 books at first.

There were 38 books at first.
Final answer:

There were 38 books at first.

Applied rules:

• Missing minuend: When you know the subtrahend and difference, add to find the minuend

• Verification: Always check that your answer makes the equation true

• Context: Always answer in the context of the problem

Subtraction Problem With Missing Number
📊
Given Information

Books sold: 15

Books left: 23

Unknown: Starting books

Equation Setup

? - 15 = 23

? = 23 + 15

? = 38

Verification

38 - 15 = 23 ✓

Answer is correct!

3 Addition word problem with multiple missing numbers
Exercise 3
Tom collected seashells on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, he found 12 more seashells. In total, he has 45 seashells. If he collected 20 seashells on Monday, how many did he collect on Tuesday?
Definition:

Multiple missing numbers problem: A word problem where several pieces of information are missing, requiring multiple steps to solve

Problem
20 + ? + 12 = 45
Setup
Monday + Tuesday + Wednesday = Total
Result
13
Step 1: Read and understand the problem

Tom collected seashells on Monday (20 seashells)

Tom collected seashells on Tuesday (unknown amount)

Tom collected seashells on Wednesday (12 seashells)

Total seashells: 45

We need to find Tuesday's collection

Step 2: Identify known and unknown values

Known: Monday = 20 seashells

Known: Wednesday = 12 seashells

Known: Total = 45 seashells

Unknown: Tuesday = ? seashells

Step 3: Set up the equation

Monday + Tuesday + Wednesday = Total

20 + ? + 12 = 45

Step 4: Simplify the equation

20 + 12 = 32

32 + ? = 45

Step 5: Solve for the missing number

To find ?, subtract: 45 - 32 = ?

45 - 32 = 13

Step 6: Verify the answer

20 + 13 + 12 = 45 ✓

Step 7: Write the answer in context

Tom collected 13 seashells on Tuesday.

Tom collected 13 seashells on Tuesday.
Final answer:

Tom collected 13 seashells on Tuesday.

Applied rules:

• Multi-step reasoning: Break the problem into smaller parts

• Combine known values: Add known amounts first to simplify

• Verification: Always check that your answer makes the equation true

Multiple Missing Numbers Problem
📊
Given Information

Monday: 20 seashells

Wednesday: 12 seashells

Total: 45 seashells

Unknown: Tuesday

Equation Setup

20 + ? + 12 = 45

32 + ? = 45

? = 45 - 32

Final Answer

? = 13

Tom collected 13 seashells on Tuesday

Complete Summary: Word Problems With No Numbers
A + ? = C
Word Problem Structure With Missing Numbers
Key definitions:

Word problem with missing numbers: A real-life situation described in words where some quantities are represented by words instead of numbers

Missing addend: When you know the sum and one addend, find the missing addend by subtracting

Missing minuend: When you know the subtrahend and difference, find the minuend by adding

Missing subtrahend: When you know the minuend and difference, find the subtrahend by subtracting

Variable: A symbol (often ? or a letter) that represents an unknown number

Complete methodology:
  1. Read carefully: Understand the situation described
  2. Identify known values: Find the numbers that are given
  3. Identify unknown values: Find what is being asked for
  4. Determine operation: Decide if you need addition or subtraction
  5. Replace words with symbols: Use ? or letters for unknown values
  6. Set up equation: Write the mathematical expression
  7. Solve: Calculate the unknown value
  8. Verify: Check that your answer makes sense
  9. Answer in context: Write the answer in relation to the original problem
Tip 1: Replace words like "some," "many," or "more" with question marks or letters.
Tip 2: Draw pictures or use objects to represent the unknown quantities.
Tip 3: Write down what you know and what you need to find.
Tip 4: Always check your answer by substituting it back into the original problem.
Tip 5: Practice with simple problems first before moving to more complex ones.
Common errors: Misreading the problem, using the wrong operation, not verifying the answer.
Key concepts: Variables represent unknowns, operations depend on the situation, verification is crucial.
Memorization tips: "If I know the total and one part, subtract to find the other part!"
Essential rules to remember:

• Missing addend: If A + ? = C, then ? = C - A

• Missing minuend: If ? - B = C, then ? = C + B

• Missing subtrahend: If A - ? = C, then ? = A - C

• Verification: Always check that your answer makes the equation true

• Context: Always answer in the context of the original problem

Examples progression
Simple missing addend:

"I have 5 toys. I get some more. Now I have 12. How many did I get?" → 5 + ? = 12 → ? = 7

Missing minuend:

"Some birds were on a tree. 4 flew away. Now there are 6 left. How many were there at first?" → ? - 4 = 6 → ? = 10

Missing subtrahend:

"I had 15 candies. I ate some. Now I have 9 left. How many did I eat?" → 15 - ? = 9 → ? = 6

Solution: Exercises 4 to 5
4 Multi-step word problem with missing number
Exercise 4
A class collected stickers for a project. On Monday, they collected some stickers. On Tuesday, they collected 18 more stickers. On Wednesday, they collected 15 more stickers. In total, they collected 50 stickers. How many stickers did they collect on Monday?
Definition:

Multi-step word problem with missing number: A word problem requiring multiple operations to solve, where one of the initial values is unknown

Problem
? + 18 + 15 = 50
Step 1
18 + 15 = 33
Step 2
? = 50 - 33 = 17
Step 1: Read and understand the problem

Monday: Some stickers (unknown amount)

Tuesday: 18 stickers

Wednesday: 15 stickers

Total stickers: 50

We need to find Monday's collection

Step 2: Identify known and unknown values

Known: Tuesday = 18 stickers

Known: Wednesday = 15 stickers

Known: Total = 50 stickers

Unknown: Monday = ? stickers

Step 3: Set up the equation

Monday + Tuesday + Wednesday = Total

? + 18 + 15 = 50

Step 4: Simplify by adding known amounts

18 + 15 = 33

? + 33 = 50

Step 5: Solve for the missing number

? = 50 - 33

? = 17

Step 6: Verify the answer

17 + 18 + 15 = 50 ✓

Step 7: Write the answer in context

They collected 17 stickers on Monday.

They collected 17 stickers on Monday.
Final answer:

They collected 17 stickers on Monday.

Applied rules:

• Multi-step reasoning: Break the problem into smaller parts

• Combine known values: Add known amounts first to simplify

• Missing addend: When you know the sum and other addends, subtract to find the missing addend

Multi-Step Problem With Missing Number
📊
Given Information

Monday: ? stickers

Tuesday: 18 stickers

Wednesday: 15 stickers

Total: 50 stickers

Equation Setup

? + 18 + 15 = 50

? + 33 = 50

? = 50 - 33

Final Answer

? = 17

Monday: 17 stickers

5 Comparison word problem with missing number
Exercise 5
Emma has many stickers. Ben has 24 fewer stickers than Emma. If Ben has 31 stickers, how many stickers does Emma have?
Definition:

Comparison word problem with missing number: A word problem that compares two quantities where one is unknown

Problem
? - 24 = 31
Setup
Emma's stickers - Difference = Ben's stickers
Result
55
Step 1: Read and understand the problem

Emma has "many stickers" (unknown amount)

Ben has 24 fewer stickers than Emma

Ben has 31 stickers (known amount)

We need to find how many stickers Emma has

Step 2: Identify known and unknown values

Known: Ben has 31 stickers

Known: Ben has 24 fewer than Emma

Unknown: Emma's sticker count

Step 3: Set up the equation

Emma's stickers - 24 = Ben's stickers

? - 24 = 31

Step 4: Solve for the missing number

To find ?, add: 31 + 24 = ?

31 + 24 = 55

Step 5: Verify the answer

55 - 24 = 31 ✓

Step 6: Write the answer in context

Emma has 55 stickers.

Emma has 55 stickers.
Final answer:

Emma has 55 stickers.

Applied rules:

• Comparison: "Fewer than" indicates subtraction

• Missing minuend: When you know the subtrahend and difference, add to find the minuend

• Context: Always answer in the context of the problem

Comparison Problem With Missing Number
📊
Given Information

Ben has: 31 stickers

Ben has: 24 fewer than Emma

Unknown: Emma's stickers

Equation Setup

Emma - 24 = Ben

? - 24 = 31

? = 31 + 24

Final Answer

? = 55

Emma has 55 stickers

Questions & Answers

Question: I don't understand when a word problem says "some" or "many" instead of giving me a number. What should I do?

Answer: Great question! When you see words like "some," "many," "more," or "fewer" instead of numbers, those words mean there's a number you don't know yet. Here's what to do:

  • Think of those words as a question mark (?) or a box that holds the unknown number
  • Look for other numbers in the problem that you DO know
  • Figure out if you need to add or subtract to find the unknown number
  • Set up an equation with the question mark in place of the unknown number

For example: "I have some apples and get 5 more. Now I have 12." → ? + 5 = 12

Question: My child struggles with identifying which operation to use when numbers are missing. How can I help them decide between addition and subtraction?

Answer: Here are strategies to help your child determine the operation:

  • Look for key words: "more," "altogether," "total," "combined" usually mean addition
  • Look for key words: "less," "fewer," "left," "sold," "used" usually mean subtraction
  • Think about the situation: If something is being added or combined → addition; if something is being taken away or compared → subtraction
  • Consider the relationship: If the final amount is larger than the starting amount → addition; if smaller → subtraction

Practice with simple problems first: "I had 5, got more, now have 8" → 5 + ? = 8 (addition)

Question: I want to get faster at solving these kinds of problems. Are there any shortcuts I can use?

Answer: Once you master the basics, here are some strategies for advanced learners:

  • Missing addend shortcut: If A + ? = C, then ? = C - A (always subtract)
  • Missing minuend shortcut: If ? - B = C, then ? = C + B (always add)
  • Missing subtrahend shortcut: If A - ? = C, then ? = A - C (always subtract)
  • Pattern recognition: Notice that similar problems follow the same structure

But remember, accuracy is more important than speed! Always verify your answer by substituting it back into the original problem.

Practice with timed drills once you're comfortable with the basic strategies to build speed and accuracy.