\( \definecolor{colordef}{RGB}{249,49,84} \definecolor{colorprop}{RGB}{18,102,241} \)

Subtraction Within 10

What is Subtraction?


Have you ever given away some of your toys or candies to a friend? When you do that, you're subtracting! Let’s see: if you have 8 blocks, and you give 5 blocks to your friend, how many blocks do you have left?
\(\quad\) take away \(\quad\) \(\quad\) equal \(\quad\)
Let's count what is left: One, two, three. You have 3 blocks left!

Definition Subtraction
Subtraction means taking away from a group to find out how many are left. The answer in subtraction is called the difference.In mathematics, we use special symbols for subtraction:
  • The minus sign (\(-\)) means to subtract or take away.
  • The equals sign (\(=\)) shows that the expressions on both sides have the same value.
Here are different ways to show "eight minus five equals three":
  • Symbolic: $$\textcolor{colordef}{8} - \textcolor{colorprop}{5} = \textcolor{olive}{3}$$
  • Cubes:
    \(-\) \(=\)
  • Fingers:
    \(-\) \(=\)
  • Words: $$\textcolor{colordef}{\text{eight }}\text{minus}\textcolor{colorprop}{\text{ five}}\text{ equals }\textcolor{olive}{\text{three}}$$

How to Subtract

Method Subtracting by Taking Away
A simple way to subtract is by "taking away." You start with the total number and then put down the number of fingers you are subtracting.
Let's solve: \(5 - 2 = ?\)
  • Step 1: Show the starting number. Hold up 5 fingers. This is your total.
  • Step 2: Take away by putting fingers down. You need to subtract 2, so put down 2 fingers, one at a time.
    \(\rightarrow\) \(\rightarrow\)
  • Step 3: Count what is left. Count the fingers that are still up. There are 3 fingers left.
The answer is 3.
\(5 - 2 = 3\)
\(-\) \(=\)

Subtracting on the Number Line

Method Using a Number Line to Subtract
We can also use a number line to subtract. Subtraction is like taking steps backward on a path.
Let's solve: \(7 - 3\)
  1. Start at the first number. Find the number 7 on the number line. This is your starting point.
  2. Jump backward. The second number, 3, tells you how many jumps to make. Since we are subtracting, we move to the left, where the numbers get smaller. Make 3 jumps backward.
  3. Find your landing spot. The number you land on is the answer.
After 3 jumps backward, you land on 4. So, \(7 - 3 = 4\).