Subtraction is taking away from a number.
Tip: Subtraction is like the opposite of addition.
Imagine you have 7 oranges.
You give away 2.
How many oranges are left?
To figure out the answer, you subtract!
You're left with 5 oranges.
We can write this as a subtraction equation:
7 - 2 = 5
We read it as "7 minus 2 equals 5".
Tip: equation means a sentence that shows two things are equal using an equals sign =.
Every part of a subtraction equation has a name, or term.
Take a look!
The minuend is the number you're taking away from.
The subtrahend is how many you take away.
The difference is the answer. It's what's left.
😺 Tip for remembering:
Is this a subtraction equation?👇
5 - 4 = 1
Yes! It has a minuend, a subtrahend, a minus sign, an equal sign, and a difference.
The minuend always comes before the subtrahend.
9 - 2 = ?
You can use a number line to figure out the answer.
Subtraction is like jumping backward on the number line.
From 9, jump 2 steps backward.
What's the answer?
That's right! It's 7.
So 9 - 2 = 7 ✅
If you know addition, then you already know subtraction too! 😺
To solve...
9 - 2 = ?
... just ask yourself:
What number plus 2 equals 9?
2 + ? = 9
2 + 7 = 9 ✅
So:
9 - 2 = 7 ✅
Great job learning the basics of subtraction. 🎉 😀
Now, complete the practice to make sure you got it!