Introduction

Almost everybody enjoys mysteries and secrets, so these puzzles are sure to delight young math students! Each page has its own mini-mystery. Working the subtraction problems provides the necessary clues to solve the mystery.

The puzzles also help solvers develop important map-reading skills. Each clue is given in terms on a north, south, east, or west direction. In order to solve the mystery, a child must follow the directions correctly.

How to Solve the Puzzles1. Answer each subtraction problem.2. In the grid, begin at the star (�). Using the answer to problem 1 to tell you how many spaces to go in which direction (north, south, east, or west), draw a line from the star.3. Using the answer to problem 2, continue drawing the line from where it stopped with problem 1.4. Continue this process until you complete the line for problem 24. The place it stops will provide the answer to the mystery.

Note: the line you draw may go through objects, it may cross over itself, and, if the answer is zero, it will not change position.

Problem InformationThese problems are designed to give children practice with basic subtraction facts. They only include subtraction problems in which both the subtrahend (the number being subtracted) and the difference (the answer) are numbers 0-9.

Additional ActivityThe mini-mystery setting for each of these puzzles can also be used as a writing prompt. Encourage your child to think about what might have come before and after the given information and to use their creativity to expand the “snapshot” into a full story.

I hope these puzzles provide many hours of fun math for you and the children you know.

- Evelyn

A word about the author:Evelyn has undergraduate and masters degrees in mathematics, specialist and doctoral degrees in mathematics education, and both regular and Montessori certification. She has taught at the elementary, middle school, high school, college, and graduate school levels. Most recently she has taught kindergarten, because that’s her favorite age. As a parent of three, she has had much experience providing children with stimulating educational activities, not only in the classroom, but also in the home. She is the author of over a dozen puzzle books, including Subtraction Secrets.

SUBTRACTION SECRETS

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SAMPLE PUZZLE #1

You need to decode an enemy’s secret message. The key to the code is in one of the books. Follow the clues to find which book.

1. 9 - 5 = _____ (E)

2. 7 - 6 = _____ (S)

3. 5 - 2 = _____ (W)

4. 10 - 7 = _____ (S)

5. 9 - 4 = _____ (E)

6. 8 - 6 = _____ (N)

7. 7 - 4 = _____ (E)

8. 5 - 3 = _____ (S)

9. 10 - 4 = _____ (E)

10. 7 - 3 = _____ (N)

11. 6 - 4 = _____ (W)

12. 9 - 6 = _____ (S)

13. 8 - 7 = _____ (W)

14. 10 - 6 = _____ (N)

15. 6 - 3 = _____ (E)

16. 7 - 5 = _____ (N)

17. 8 - 4 = _____ (W)

18. 10 - 9 = _____ (N)

19. 4 - 2 = _____ (W)

20. 10 - 5 = _____ (S)

21. 4 - 1 = _____ (W)

22. 7 - 2 = _____ (N)

23. 8 - 5 = _____ (W)

24. 10 - 8 = _____ (S)

The key to the code is in the ___________________________ book.

N

S

EW

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SUBTRACTION SECRETS

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SAMPLE PUZZLE #2

Only one of the pirate ships that you spot through your telescope is loaded with treasure. Use the clues and draw a path to find which one.

1. 8 - 5 = _____ (W)

2. 9 - 7 = _____ (S)

3. 12 - 8 = _____ (W)

4. 7 - 3 = _____ (N)

5. 10 - 6 = _____ (E)

6. 8 - 7 = _____ (S)

7. 11 - 5 = _____ (E)

8. 8 - 4 = _____ (N)

9. 12 - 7 = _____ (W)

10. 6 - 4 = _____ (S)

11. 10 - 5 = _____ (W)

12. 9 - 8 = _____ (N)

13. 11 - 7 = _____ (E)

14. 5 - 3 = _____ (N)

15. 12 - 5 = _____ (E)

16. 6 - 2 = _____ (S)

17. 9 - 6 = _____ (E)

18. 11 - 8 = _____ (S)

19. 9 - 5 = _____ (W)

20. 7 - 6 = _____ (N)

21. 11 - 9 = _____ (W)

22. 8 - 6 = _____ (S)

23. 11 - 4 = _____ (E)

24. 12 - 6 = _____ (N)

The shape of the flag on the treasure ship is _____________________.

�N

S

EW

SUBTRACTION SECRETS

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SAMPLE PUZZLE #3

Only one of the keys will unlock the secret door. Use the clues and draw a path to find which is the key you need.

1. 13 - 8 = _____ (N)

2. 7 - 6 = _____ (E)

3. 11 - 9 = _____ (N)

4. 8 - 5 = _____ (W)

5. 10 - 6 = _____ (S)

6. 9 - 8 = _____ (E)

7. 13 - 9 = _____ (S)

8. 11 - 5 = _____ (W)

9. 9 - 7 = _____ (N)

10. 12 - 8 = _____ (E)

11. 9 - 3 = _____ (N)

12. 10 - 8 = _____ (W)

13. 12 - 9 = _____ (S)

14. 7 - 4 = _____ (W)

15. 11 - 6 = _____ (S)

16. 13 - 7 = _____ (W)

17. 11 - 8 = _____ (N)

18. 13 - 5 = _____ (E)

19. 9 - 4 = _____ (N)

20. 11 - 7 = _____ (W)

21. 8 - 4 = _____ (S)

22. 12 - 7 = _____ (W)

23. 9 - 6 = _____ (N)

24. 7 - 5 = _____ (E)

The right key has this handle shape: _______________________.

�N

S

EW

SUBTRACTION SECRETS

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SAMPLE PUZZLE #4

You need to know the new password for your club’s treehouse. Use the answer clues to trace a path through the letters. Write each letter and word space ( ) on the line below.

1. 14 - 8 = _____ (N)

2. 16 - 7 = _____ (W)

3. 17 - 9 = _____ (S)

4. 13 - 6 = _____ (W)

5. 12 - 8 = _____ (N)

6. 14 - 5 = _____ (E)

7. 10 - 7 = _____ (S)

8. 16 - 8 = _____ (W)

9. 13 - 7 = _____ (N)

10. 18 - 9 = _____ (E)

11. 13 - 8 = _____ (S)

12. 15 - 7 = _____ (W)

13. 13 - 9 = _____ (N)

14. 17 - 8 = _____ (E)

15. 11 - 5 = _____ (S)

16. 11 - 7 = _____ (E)

17. 12 - 9 = _____ (N)

18. 15 - 6 = _____ (W)

19. 10 - 8 = _____ (N)

20. 13 - 4 = _____ (E)

21. 9 - 7 = _____ (N)

22. 11 - 8 = _____ (W)

23. 15 - 9 = _____ (S)

24. 11 - 9 = _____ (E)

___________________________________________________________

N

S

EW

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SUBTRACTION SECRETS

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SOLUTION FOR PUZZLE #2SOLUTION FOR PUZZLE #1

SOLUTION FOR PUZZLE #3 SOLUTION FOR PUZZLE #4

SUBTRACTION SECRETS

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