Step-by-step Maths Level 1: Writing the answer in a subtraction sum
Part of the Step-by-step Maths Level 1 taking away within 10 chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Writing the answer in a subtraction sum
A subtraction sum has a minus sign and an equals sign.
Start with the first number. Take away the second number. Write the answer after the equals sign.
Key ideas
- The first number is the start.
- The second number is taken away.
- Write the answer after the equals sign.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.8
- Take away 3. Cross out or count back this many.8 - 3
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.5
Check. Add back: 5 + 3 = 8. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.10
- Take away 4. Cross out or count back this many.10 - 4
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.6
Check. Add back: 6 + 4 = 10. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.6
- Take away 6. Cross out or count back this many.6 - 6
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.0
Check. Add back: 0 + 6 = 6. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Watch out
Watch out. 6 − 6 is 0, not 6. Taking away all of them leaves none.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Read the sum aloud: “Eight take away three is...” Then count back to check.
Exercise 7C Subtraction sums
Non-calculatorMethod. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.7
- Take away 5. Cross out or count back this many.7 - 5
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.2
Check. Add back: 2 + 5 = 7. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.5
- Take away 4. Cross out or count back this many.5 - 4
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.1
Check. Add back: 1 + 4 = 5. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.5
- Take away 3. Cross out or count back this many.5 - 3
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.2
Check. Add back: 2 + 3 = 5. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.4
- Take away 2. Cross out or count back this many.4 - 2
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.2
Check. Add back: 2 + 2 = 4. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.4
- Take away 2. Cross out or count back this many.4 - 2
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.2
Check. Add back: 2 + 2 = 4. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.5
- Take away 4. Cross out or count back this many.5 - 4
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.1
Check. Add back: 1 + 4 = 5. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.7
- Take away 1. Cross out or count back this many.7 - 1
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.6
Check. Add back: 6 + 1 = 7. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.8
- Take away 1. Cross out or count back this many.8 - 1
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.7
Check. Add back: 7 + 1 = 8. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.2
- Take away 1. Cross out or count back this many.2 - 1
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.1
Check. Add back: 1 + 1 = 2. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.3
- Take away 1. Cross out or count back this many.3 - 1
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.2
Check. Add back: 2 + 1 = 3. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.3
- Take away 2. Cross out or count back this many.3 - 2
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.1
Check. Add back: 1 + 2 = 3. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.6
- Take away 3. Cross out or count back this many.6 - 3
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.3
Check. Add back: 3 + 3 = 6. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.6
- Take away 1. Cross out or count back this many.6 - 1
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.5
Check. Add back: 5 + 1 = 6. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.2
- Take away 1. Cross out or count back this many.2 - 1
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.1
Check. Add back: 1 + 1 = 2. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.2
- Take away 1. Cross out or count back this many.2 - 1
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.1
Check. Add back: 1 + 1 = 2. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.
Method. Take away the second number from the first. Count back to check.
- Start with the first number. It is the number of things we begin with.2
- Take away 1. Cross out or count back this many.2 - 1
- Write the answer. This is how many are left.1
Check. Add back: 1 + 1 = 2. The answer is right.
Watch out. Count back from the first number, not up from the second.