Subtraction

Subtraction is ...

... taking one number away from another.


subtraction 5 apples - 2 apples = 3 apples   Start with 5 apples,

then subtract 2,

we are left with 3 apples.
anna with 3 apples

This can be written:

5 − 2 = 3

Try It Yourself

images/subtract.js

Train Yourself

You get good at subtraction with practice...

... so use Math Trainer - Subtraction to train yourself!

Subtraction Table

You can also "look up" answers for simple subtraction using this table:


0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
0 0











1 1 0










2 2 1 0









3 3 2 1 0








4 4 3 2 1 0







5 5 4 3 2 1 0






6 6 5 4 3 2 1 0





7 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0




8 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0



9 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0


10 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

11 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
12 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0


Example: Find 8 − 5

  • find the row starting with "8"
  • move along till you are under the column "5"
  • and there is the number "3", so 8 − 5 = 3

Names

Other names used in subtraction are Minus, Less, Difference, Decrease, Take Away, Deduct.

The names of the numbers in a subtraction fact are:

Minuend - Subtrahend = Difference

Minuend − Subtrahend = Difference

Minuend: The number that is to be subtracted from.

Subtrahend: The number that is to be subtracted.

Difference: The result of subtracting one number from another.

Subtracting Larger Numbers

To subtract numbers with more than one digit (such as "42−25") use any of these methods, choose the one you prefer:

arrow Subtraction with Regrouping (also called "Borrowing")
This is the method most people use!
arrow Quick Subtraction (more complicated, but can be faster)
arrow Subtraction using Addition (also called the Complements Method)

Worksheets

For practice try these Subtraction Worksheets

 

1592, 1593, 3408, 3409, 6619, 6620, 6621, 6622, 6623, 6624, 6625, 6626, 6627, 6628