Subtract Numbers
Subtraction means taking away. 7 − 3 = 4 means starting at 7 and counting back 3 steps. The answer tells you what's left.
Worked examples
7 − 3 = ?
Start at 7. Count back 3: 6, 5, 4. The answer is 4.
Answer: 4
8 − 5 = ?
Start at 8. Count back 5: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3. The answer is 3.
Answer: 3
Tips
- •Count backwards from the first number.
- •Use your fingers to count back — hold up the right number, fold them down as you subtract.
- •Subtraction always gives you a smaller (or equal) number.
Key words
subtractminustake awaydifferencecount back