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Step-by-step practice: Maths · Level 2Chapter 6 · Taking away within 20
Level 2 · Chapter 6

Taking away within 20

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Count back to subtract
  • Count up to find the difference
  • Use bonds to 10 to take away
  • Take away 10 from a number up to 20
  • Check with addition and find missing numbers

You should already know

  • Adding within 20 (Chapter 5)
  • Number bonds to 20 (Chapter 4)

Where this leads

  • Adding and subtracting within 100 (Chapter 7)
  • Money (Chapter 8)

Step-by-step practice: maths (Level 2). Small steps, repeated until fluent. Content: Subtract a 1-digit number from a number up to 20 by counting back, Find the difference between two numbers up to 20 by counting up, Use a bond to 10 to subtract, going through 10, Subtract a multiple of 10 from a 2-digit number up to 20, Use addition to check a subtraction, and find a missing number in a subtraction.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

Non-calculator
1
FWork out 13 - 2.
91011121314
2
PSWhat is the difference between 4 and 11?
3456789101112
3
FWork out 17 - 10.
4
FWrite the missing number: 14 - ? = 9
5
F18 - 6 = ? Check your answer by adding.
6.1

Counting back to take away

Level 2
Subtract a 1-digit number from a number up to 20 by counting back
Video lesson: Counting back to take awayComing soon

Taking away means making a number smaller. Start at the first number and count back.

For 15 - 4, start at 15 and count back 4: 14, 13, 12, 11. The answer is 11.

910111213141516
Start at 15 and count back 4 to reach 11.

Key ideas

  • Start at the first number.
  • Count back the number you take away.
  • The last number you say is the answer.
Worked example 6.1.1
Work out 15 - 4.

Method. Start at the first number and count back the second number.

  1. Start at 15. It is the number we begin with.
    15
  2. Count back 4. Say each number as you go back.
    15 - 4 = 11
  3. Write the answer. This is how many are left.
    11

Check. Count on 4 from 11 to check: you reach 15.

Watch out. Count back from the first number. Do not count the starting number again.

Worked example 6.1.2
Work out 19 - 7.

Method. Start at the first number and count back the second number.

  1. Start at 19. It is the number we begin with.
    19
  2. Count back 7. Say each number as you go back.
    19 - 7 = 12
  3. Write the answer. This is how many are left.
    12

Check. Count on 7 from 12 to check: you reach 19.

Watch out. Count back from the first number. Do not count the starting number again.

Worked example 6.1.3
Work out 18 - 5.

Method. Start at the first number and count back the second number.

  1. Start at 18. It is the number we begin with.
    18
  2. Count back 5. Say each number as you go back.
    18 - 5 = 13
  3. Write the answer. This is how many are left.
    13

Check. Count on 5 from 13 to check: you reach 18.

Watch out. Count back from the first number. Do not count the starting number again.

Watch out

Watch out. Do not count the starting number. Say 14 first, not 15.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Use a number line or stairs. Start at the top and walk down one step at a time.

Exercise 6A  Practice: counting back

Non-calculator
1
FWork out 12 - 6.
45678910111213
2
FWork out 9 - 6.
12345678910
3
FWork out 15 - 9.
45678910111213141516
4
FWork out 9 - 9.
012345678910
5
FWork out 8 - 1.
56789
6
FWork out 5 - 5.
0123456
7
FWork out 11 - 8.
123456789101112
8
FWork out 11 - 4.
56789101112
9
FWork out 13 - 8.
34567891011121314
10
FWork out 6 - 5.
01234567
11
FWork out 17 - 2.
131415161718
12
FWork out 17 - 5.
101112131415161718
13
FWork out 13 - 1.
1011121314
14
FWork out 9 - 4.
345678910
15
FWork out 9 - 3.
45678910
16
FWork out 20 - 3.
15161718192021
6.2

Finding the difference by counting up

Level 2
Find the difference between two numbers up to 20 by counting up
Video lesson: Finding the difference by counting upComing soon

The difference is how far apart two numbers are.

Count up from the smaller number to the bigger one. The number of steps is the difference.

1112131415161718
From 12 to 17 is 5 steps, so the difference is 5.

Key ideas

  • Difference means how far apart.
  • Count up from the smaller number.
  • The number of steps is the answer.
Worked example 6.2.1
What is the difference between 12 and 17?

Method. The difference is how far apart the numbers are. Count up from the smaller number.

  1. Start at the smaller number, 12. We count up to the bigger number.
    12
  2. Count up to 17. Count each step as you go.
    17 - 12 = 5
  3. Write the difference. The number of steps is the difference.
    5

Check. 12 + 5 = 17. The difference is right.

Watch out. The difference is not the bigger number. It is the number of steps between them.

Worked example 6.2.2
What is the difference between 6 and 14?

Method. The difference is how far apart the numbers are. Count up from the smaller number.

  1. Start at the smaller number, 6. We count up to the bigger number.
    6
  2. Count up to 14. Count each step as you go.
    14 - 6 = 8
  3. Write the difference. The number of steps is the difference.
    8

Check. 6 + 8 = 14. The difference is right.

Watch out. The difference is not the bigger number. It is the number of steps between them.

Worked example 6.2.3
What is the difference between 9 and 15?

Method. The difference is how far apart the numbers are. Count up from the smaller number.

  1. Start at the smaller number, 9. We count up to the bigger number.
    9
  2. Count up to 15. Count each step as you go.
    15 - 9 = 6
  3. Write the difference. The number of steps is the difference.
    6

Check. 9 + 6 = 15. The difference is right.

Watch out. The difference is not the bigger number. It is the number of steps between them.

Watch out

Watch out. Count the steps, not the numbers. From 12 to 17 there are 5 steps, not 6.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: “How many more is 17 than 12?” Count up on fingers.

Exercise 6B  Practice: finding the difference

Non-calculator
1
PSWhat is the difference between 1 and 13?
01234567891011121314
2
PSWhat is the difference between 3 and 16?
234567891011121314151617
3
PSWhat is the difference between 1 and 3?
01234
4
PSWhat is the difference between 6 and 10?
567891011
5
PSWhat is the difference between 11 and 16?
1011121314151617
6
PSWhat is the difference between 2 and 16?
1234567891011121314151617
7
PSWhat is the difference between 4 and 16?
34567891011121314151617
8
PSWhat is the difference between 2 and 14?
123456789101112131415
9
PSWhat is the difference between 15 and 20?
1415161718192021
10
PSWhat is the difference between 1 and 8?
0123456789
11
PSWhat is the difference between 12 and 14?
1112131415
12
PSWhat is the difference between 2 and 17?
123456789101112131415161718
13
PSWhat is the difference between 7 and 16?
67891011121314151617
14
PSWhat is the difference between 1 and 9?
012345678910
15
PSWhat is the difference between 1 and 5?
0123456
16
PSWhat is the difference between 2 and 12?
12345678910111213
6.3

Taking away with bonds to 10

Level 2
Use a bond to 10 to subtract, going through 10
Video lesson: Taking away with bonds to 10Coming soon

Sometimes you have to take away more than the ones. For 15 - 8, first take away 5 to reach 10.

Then take the rest away from 10: 10 - 3 = 7.

Key ideas

  • Take away the part that gets to 10 first.
  • Then take the rest away from 10.
  • Check by adding back.
Worked example 6.3.1
Work out 15 - 8.

Method. Use a bond to 10 to help. Take away the part that gets to 10 first.

  1. Take 5 away from 15. That leaves exactly 10.
    15 - 5 = 10
  2. Take the rest, 3, away from 10. 8 is 5 and 3, so take away 3 now.
    10 - 3 = 7
  3. Write the answer.
    7

Check. Add back: 7 + 8 = 15. It is right.

Watch out. Going through 10 can be done in two steps. Do not take the whole number from 10 by mistake.

Worked example 6.3.2
Work out 13 - 6.

Method. Use a bond to 10 to help. Take away the part that gets to 10 first.

  1. Take 3 away from 13. That leaves exactly 10.
    13 - 3 = 10
  2. Take the rest, 3, away from 10. 6 is 3 and 3, so take away 3 now.
    10 - 3 = 7
  3. Write the answer.
    7

Check. Add back: 7 + 6 = 13. It is right.

Watch out. Going through 10 can be done in two steps. Do not take the whole number from 10 by mistake.

Worked example 6.3.3
Work out 17 - 9.

Method. Use a bond to 10 to help. Take away the part that gets to 10 first.

  1. Take 7 away from 17. That leaves exactly 10.
    17 - 7 = 10
  2. Take the rest, 2, away from 10. 9 is 7 and 2, so take away 2 now.
    10 - 2 = 8
  3. Write the answer.
    8

Check. Add back: 8 + 9 = 17. It is right.

Watch out. Going through 10 can be done in two steps. Do not take the whole number from 10 by mistake.

Watch out

Watch out. Do not take all of the number from 10. Go to 10 first, then take the rest.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Use two colours of counters. Take away the first colour to reach 10, then the second colour.

Exercise 6C  Practice: taking away through 10

Non-calculator
1
FWork out 11 - 7.
2
FWork out 11 - 4.
3
FWork out 12 - 7.
4
FWork out 12 - 8.
5
FWork out 14 - 6.
6
FWork out 14 - 9.
7
FWork out 17 - 8.
8
FWork out 11 - 2.
9
FWork out 11 - 8.
10
FWork out 13 - 8.
11
FWork out 14 - 7.
12
FWork out 15 - 8.
13
FWork out 14 - 5.
14
FWork out 14 - 8.
15
FWork out 13 - 7.
16
FWork out 16 - 8.
6.4

Taking away 10 from a number up to 20

Level 2
Subtract a multiple of 10 from a 2-digit number up to 20
Video lesson: Taking away 10 from a number up to 20Coming soon

When you take away 10, you take away one ten.

Only the tens change. The ones stay the same.

Key ideas

  • Taking away 10 changes the tens digit.
  • The ones digit stays the same.
  • For 18 - 10, the answer is 8.
Worked example 6.4.1
Work out 18 - 10.

Method. Taking away 10 takes away one ten. Only the tens digit changes.

  1. Look at the number. It has one ten and some ones.
    18
  2. Take away one ten. Take away 10 from the tens.
    18 - 10 = 8
  3. Write the answer. The ones stay the same.
    8

Check. Add 10 back: 8 + 10 = 18.

Watch out. Taking away 10 changes the tens, not the ones: 17 - 10 = 7.

Worked example 6.4.2
Sam has 14 stickers. He gives away 10. How many stickers does he have left?

Method. Taking away 10 takes away one ten. Only the tens digit changes.

  1. Look at the number. It has one ten and some ones.
    14
  2. Take away one ten. Take away 10 from the tens.
    14 - 10 = 4
  3. Write the answer. The ones stay the same.
    4

Check. Add 10 back: 4 + 10 = 14.

Watch out. Taking away 10 changes the tens, not the ones: 17 - 10 = 7.

Worked example 6.4.3
Work out 20 - 10.

Method. Taking away 10 takes away one ten. Only the tens digit changes.

  1. Look at the number. It has one ten and some ones.
    20
  2. Take away one ten. Take away 10 from the tens.
    20 - 10 = 10
  3. Write the answer. The ones stay the same.
    10

Check. Add 10 back: 10 + 10 = 20.

Watch out. Taking away 10 changes the tens, not the ones: 17 - 10 = 7.

Watch out

Watch out. 20 - 10 is 10, not 0. Only one ten is taken away.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Use two ten frames. Empty one frame and count what is left in the other.

Exercise 6D  Practice: taking away 10

Non-calculator
1
FWork out 13 - 10.
2
FWork out 15 - 10.
3
FWork out 16 - 10.
4
FWork out 19 - 10.
5
FWork out 17 - 10.
6
FWork out 20 - 10.
7
FWork out 12 - 10.
8
PSSam has 16 stickers. He gives away 10. How many stickers does he have left?
9
FWork out 18 - 10.
10
FWork out 14 - 10.
11
FWork out 11 - 10.
12
PSSam has 18 stickers. He gives away 10. How many stickers does he have left?
13
PSSam has 12 stickers. He gives away 10. How many stickers does he have left?
14
PSSam has 17 stickers. He gives away 10. How many stickers does he have left?
15
PSSam has 14 stickers. He gives away 10. How many stickers does he have left?
16
PSSam has 11 stickers. He gives away 10. How many stickers does he have left?
6.5

Missing numbers and checking

Level 2
Find a missing number in a subtraction, Use addition to check a subtraction
Video lesson: Missing numbers and checkingComing soon

A subtraction can have a missing number. Ask: “What do I take away to get from the start to the answer?”

To check any answer, add the number you took away back on to the answer.

Key ideas

  • Subtraction and addition undo each other.
  • Check by adding back.
  • A missing number is found by working backwards.
Worked example 6.5.1
Write the missing number: 15 - ? = 9

Method. Find the number to take away. Check by adding it back.

  1. Start with 15. It is the number we begin with.
    15
  2. Find how many are taken away to reach 9. Count back, or take the answer away from the start.
    15 - 9 = 6
  3. Write the missing number.
    6

Check. Add back: 9 + 6 = 15. It works.

Watch out. The missing number is the one that gets you from the start to the answer.

Worked example 6.5.2
16 - 9 = ? Check your answer by adding.

Method. Work out the subtraction. Then add the number you took away to the answer.

  1. Work out 16 - 9. Count back from the first number.
    16 - 9 = 7
  2. Check by adding. If the answer is right, adding back gives the first number.
    7 + 9 = 16
  3. Write the answer.
    7

Check. 7 + 9 = 16, so the answer is right.

Watch out. Subtraction and addition undo each other. Use addition to check.

Worked example 6.5.3
Write the missing number: 13 - ? = 9

Method. Find the number to take away. Check by adding it back.

  1. Start with 13. It is the number we begin with.
    13
  2. Find how many are taken away to reach 9. Count back, or take the answer away from the start.
    13 - 9 = 4
  3. Write the missing number.
    4

Check. Add back: 9 + 4 = 13. It works.

Watch out. The missing number is the one that gets you from the start to the answer.

Watch out

Watch out. In 15 - ? = 9, the missing number is 6, not 9. The answer is the number after the equals sign.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Use addition to check every subtraction. Ask: “Does the answer add back to the start?”

Exercise 6E  Practice: missing numbers and checking

Non-calculator
1
F17 - 10 = ? Check your answer by adding.
2
F12 - 4 = ? Check your answer by adding.
3
FWrite the missing number: 7 - ? = 3
4
FWrite the missing number: 10 - ? = 7
5
F12 - 5 = ? Check your answer by adding.
6
FWrite the missing number: 19 - ? = 15
7
F17 - 8 = ? Check your answer by adding.
8
F11 - 1 = ? Check your answer by adding.
9
F15 - 10 = ? Check your answer by adding.
10
FWrite the missing number: 16 - ? = 15
11
FWrite the missing number: 13 - ? = 2
12
FWrite the missing number: 18 - ? = 8
13
FWrite the missing number: 7 - ? = 6
14
FWrite the missing number: 9 - ? = 4
15
F18 - 3 = ? Check your answer by adding.
16
FWrite the missing number: 10 - ? = 1

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Counting backStart at the first number and count back
DifferenceCount up from the smaller number; count the steps
Through 10Take away the part that reaches 10, then the rest
Taking away 10Only the tens digit changes
Missing and checkingFind the missing part; check by adding back

Can you…?

  • I can count back to take away a number up to 20
  • I can count up to find the difference between two numbers
  • I can use a bond to 10 to take away when I need to go through 10
  • I can take away 10 from a number up to 20
  • I can find a missing number and check by adding

Key terms

take away
subtract; make a number smaller
difference
how far apart two numbers are
subtraction
taking one number away from another
check
use addition to see if the subtraction is right

Exercise 6Z  Check-up

Non-calculator
1
What is the difference between 3 and 17?
23456789101112131415161718
2
What is the difference between 8 and 18?
78910111213141516171819
3
Work out 11 - 4.
4
16 - 9 = ? Check your answer by adding.
5
Work out 20 - 5.
131415161718192021
6
Sam has 13 stickers. He gives away 10. How many stickers does he have left?
7
Work out 16 - 10.
8
Work out 15 - 9.
45678910111213141516
9
Work out 12 - 8.
2345678910111213
10
Work out 12 - 6.

Total 19 marks. Allow about 19 minutes.

Exercise 6X  Practice test questions

Non-calculator
1
FWrite the missing number: 11 - ? = 3[1 mark]
2
FWrite the missing number: 8 - ? = 7[1 mark]
3
PSWhat is the difference between 3 and 19?[1 mark]
234567891011121314151617181920
4
FWork out 20 - 7.[1 mark]
1112131415161718192021
5
PSWhat is the difference between 5 and 8?[2 marks]
456789
6
FWrite the missing number: 20 - ? = 3[2 marks]
7
FWork out 15 - 7.[2 marks]
8
FWork out 15 - 9.[3 marks]
9
PSWhat is the difference between 6 and 14?[3 marks]
56789101112131415
10
F6 - 5 = ? Check your answer by adding.[3 marks]

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