Subtraction

What is subtraction?

Subtraction means taking away to find how many are left. We use the minus sign (-).

Number sentence

8 - 3 = 5

• Start with 8.
• Take away 3.
• 5 are left.

Using objects

There are 6 oranges. Mum takes 2. 6 - 2 = 4 oranges are left.

Counting back

To find 9 - 3, start at 9 and count back 3: 8, 7, 6. So 9 - 3 = 6.

Helpful facts

• Taking away 0 leaves the same number: 5 - 0 = 5.
• Taking away all leaves 0: 5 - 5 = 0.

Try it

1. 10 - 4 = ?
2. 7 - 7 = ?
3. There are 9 birds. 3 fly away. How many are left?