Subtraction Facts
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What is Subtraction?
Subtraction means taking away or finding the difference between two numbers. When we subtract, we use the minus sign (-) and the equals sign (=).
When we subtract one number from another, we find the difference. The difference is the answer to a subtraction problem.
Subtraction Words to Know
- Minus (-) - This sign means "take away" or "subtract"
- Equals (=) - This sign means "the same as"
- Difference - The answer when you subtract numbers
Ways to Subtract
There are many ways to subtract numbers!
- Count back - Start with the bigger number and count backward
- Use objects - Put out objects, take some away, count what is left
- Draw pictures - Draw circles, cross some out, count the rest
- Think addition - Ask "what plus ? equals the bigger number?"
Count Back Trick
To subtract 7 - 3, start with 7 in your head. Then count back 3: "7... 6, 5, 4!" The answer is 4!
Examples
Let's work through these subtraction problems together!
Example 1: 5 - 2 = ?
Lily has 5 cookies. She eats 2 cookies. How many cookies are left?
Step 1: Draw 5 cookies: OOOOO
Step 2: Cross out 2 cookies: OOOOO
Step 3: Count what is left: 1, 2, 3
Answer: 5 - 2 = 3
Example 2: 8 - 3 = ?
There are 8 balloons. 3 balloons pop. How many balloons are left?
Step 1: Start with 8
Step 2: Count back 3: 7, 6, 5
Answer: 8 - 3 = 5
Example 3: 10 - 4 = ?
Ben has 10 grapes. He gives 4 to his sister. How many grapes does Ben have left?
Step 1: Start with 10
Step 2: Count back 4: 9, 8, 7, 6
Answer: 10 - 4 = 6
Example 4: 12 - 5 = ?
There are 12 birds on a fence. 5 birds fly away. How many birds are still on the fence?
Step 1: Start with 12
Step 2: Count back 5: 11, 10, 9, 8, 7
Answer: 12 - 5 = 7
Example 5: 15 - 8 = ?
Sara has 15 stickers. She uses 8 stickers on her art project. How many stickers does she have left?
Step 1: Think: 8 + ? = 15
Step 2: 8 + 7 = 15, so 15 - 8 = 7
Answer: 15 - 8 = 7
Practice Problems
Try these subtraction problems on your own! Use counting back or draw pictures to help.
1. 6 - 2 = ?
Show Answer
6 - 2 = 4. Start with 6 and count back 2: 5, 4!
2. 7 - 4 = ?
Show Answer
7 - 4 = 3. Start with 7 and count back 4: 6, 5, 4, 3!
3. 9 - 3 = ?
Show Answer
9 - 3 = 6. Start with 9 and count back 3: 8, 7, 6!
4. 10 - 5 = ?
Show Answer
10 - 5 = 5. Half of 10 is 5!
5. 8 - 8 = ?
Show Answer
8 - 8 = 0. When you take away all of something, you have zero left!
6. 11 - 4 = ?
Show Answer
11 - 4 = 7. Start with 11 and count back 4: 10, 9, 8, 7!
7. 13 - 6 = ?
Show Answer
13 - 6 = 7. Think: 6 + 7 = 13, so 13 - 6 = 7!
8. 14 - 7 = ?
Show Answer
14 - 7 = 7. This is a doubles fact! 7 + 7 = 14.
9. 16 - 9 = ?
Show Answer
16 - 9 = 7. Think: 9 + 7 = 16!
10. 18 - 9 = ?
Show Answer
18 - 9 = 9. This is a doubles fact! 9 + 9 = 18.
Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions to see what you learned!
1. What does the - sign mean?
Show Answer
The - sign means take away or subtract.
2. What do we call the answer to a subtraction problem?
Show Answer
The answer to a subtraction problem is called the difference.
3. Maria has 9 pencils. She gives 4 pencils to her friend. How many pencils does Maria have left?
Show Answer
9 - 4 = 5 pencils. Maria has 5 pencils left!
4. What is 20 - 10?
Show Answer
20 - 10 = 10. Half of 20 is 10!
Next Steps
- Practice subtraction at home - count things and take some away
- Try using addition to help you subtract faster
- Go back to Addition Facts if you need to review
- You have learned so much about adding and subtracting!