Introduction to Subtraction

Course Content
Introduction to Arithmetic
Learn definitions and the importance of math
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Introduction to Arithmetic: Definition and Importance
00:00
Addition (Summing Numbers)
Learn concepts and examples. Practice problems and become proficient.
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Addition (Summing Numbers)
00:00
QUIZ: Adding Numbers
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Adding Numbers
00:20:00
Introduction to Subtraction
Subtraction is a fundamental arithmetic operation that involves finding the difference between two numbers. It’s like taking away some amount from a larger amount to see what remains.
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Introduction to Subtraction
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Introduction to Division
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Division
00:00
QUIZ: Division
00:05:00
Introduction to Multiplication
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Multiplication
00:00
QUIZ: Multiplication
00:10:00
Basic Arithmetic
About Lesson

 

Introduction to Subtraction

Subtraction is a fundamental arithmetic operation that involves finding the difference between two numbers. It’s like taking away some amount from a larger amount to see what remains.

Why Learn Subtraction?

Subtraction is essential because it helps us understand how things decrease or how they are distributed. It’s used in everyday situations like when you spend money from your savings or share cookies with friends.

How to Subtract

When we subtract, we take one number away from another. The number from which we are subtracting is called the minuend, and the number we are subtracting is called the subtrahend. The result of subtraction is called the difference.

For example, if you have 5 apples and eat 2, you are left with 3 apples. Here, 5 – 2 = 3.

Examples for a 6-Year-Old

  1. Playing with Toys
    • Imagine you have 10 toy cars. If you give 3 toy cars to your friend, how many do you have left?
    • Explanation: 10 toy cars – 3 toy cars = 7 toy cars.
    • Lesson: Subtracting 3 from 10 leaves 7.
  2. Eating Cookies
    • You have 8 cookies, and you eat 2. How many cookies are left?
    • Explanation: 8 cookies – 2 cookies = 6 cookies.
    • Lesson: When you take 2 away from 8, you have 6 left.
  3. Counting Balloons
    • Let’s say you have 15 balloons, but 5 fly away. How many balloons do you have now?
    • Explanation: 15 balloons – 5 balloons = 10 balloons.
    • Lesson: 15 minus 5 equals 10.

Activities for Practice

  1. Toy Counting Game
    • Arrange a set of toys and then remove some. Count how many are left. For example, start with 12 toys, take away 4, and count the remaining toys.
  2. Snack Sharing Exercise
    • Use snacks like fruit slices or crackers. Start with a certain number, share some with a friend or family member, and then count what’s left.
  3. Story Problems
    • Create simple story problems. For example, “You have 7 crayons, but 2 break. How many are left?”

Here are 10 subtraction problems, ranging from simple 1st-grade level questions to more complex 6th-grade level ones, along with explanations on how to solve them:

1st Grade Level

  1. Question: 5 – 2 = ?
    • Explanation: Counting backward from 5, two steps: 4, 3. So, 5 – 2 = 3.
  2. Question: 8 – 3 = ?
    • Explanation: Counting backward from 8, three steps: 7, 6, 5. Therefore, 8 – 3 = 5.

2nd Grade Level

  1. Question: 15 – 7 = ?
    • Explanation: Counting backward from 15: 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8. So, 15 – 7 = 8.
  2. Question: 24 – 9 = ?
    • Explanation: This is a bit tricky because you have to ‘borrow.’ Consider 24 as 14 + 10. Now, subtract 9 from 14 to get 5, then add the 10. So, 24 – 9 = 15.

3rd Grade Level

  1. Question: 123 – 56 = ?
    • Explanation: Start from the right. You need to borrow in the tens place: 13 – 6 = 7, 1 – 5 = 6 (after borrowing), and 0 remains. So, 123 – 56 = 67.
  2. Question: 202 – 78 = ?
    • Explanation: Again, borrowing is needed. 12 – 8 = 4, 9 – 7 = 2 (after borrowing), and 1 remains. So, 202 – 78 = 124.

4th Grade Level

  1. Question: 456 – 289 = ?
    • Explanation: Borrowing across places, 16 – 9 = 7, 4 – 8 (borrow one from hundreds, so it becomes 14 – 8) = 6, and 3 – 2 = 1. So, 456 – 289 = 167.
  2. Question: 1,234 – 567 = ?
    • Explanation: Subtract each place value, with borrowing where necessary. So, 1,234 – 567 = 667.

5th Grade Level

  1. Question: 3,456 – 1,789 = ?
    • Explanation: Borrowing in multiple places. 16 – 9 = 7, 4 – 8 (after borrowing, becomes 14 – 8) = 6, 2 – 7 (after borrowing, becomes 12 – 7) = 5, and 2 – 1 = 1. So, 3,456 – 1,789 = 1,667.

6th Grade Level

  1. Question: 10,234 – 5,678 = ?
    • Explanation: Subtract each place value, borrowing as needed. 14 – 8 = 6, 12 – 7 = 5, 1 – 6 (after borrowing, becomes 11 – 6) = 5, and 9 – 5 = 4. So, 10,234 – 5,678 = 4,556.

These problems progressively increase in complexity, helping students develop and refine their subtraction skills from basic single-digit subtraction to subtracting larger numbers with multiple digits and borrowing.

Conclusion

Subtraction is a handy tool that helps us understand how things are taken away or reduced. It’s important for daily life, and it can be a lot of fun too! Just like with addition, practice makes perfect, so keep practicing your subtraction skills.

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