In this post we will try to understand the concept of subtraction and the different methods which can be used to subtract two numbers.
After the concept, we will try to solve subtraction worksheet for our practice and concept reinforcement. All the questions in the worksheet are fully solved and are provided with detailed explanation for the benefit of Grade 1 Math Kids.
Understand that in order to master subtraction, you have to practice as much questions as possible. Here at WTSkills.com, we have provided you with comprehensive resources to develop math skill sets for your school and practical life.
What is Subtraction
In subtraction, we basically calculate the difference between the two numbers.
Let us understand the concept with the help of example:
Example 01
Suppose you have three chocolates with you.
Your friends visits your house and you gift him one chocolate of yours.
How many chocolates are left with you?
Solution
Number of chocolates you have = 3
Chocolate gifted to friend = 1
In order to calculate the left chocolates, you have to calculate the difference of the above numbers.
Chocolates left with you = 3 – 1 = 2
we can read the equation ” 3 – 1 = 2 ” as ” three minus one is equal to two”
Example 02
Suppose you have five apple with you
You ate two apples in lunch
How many apples do you have?
Solution
Number of apples with you = 5
Apples ate in lunch = 2
In order to calculate the left apples, you have to do subtraction of the above numbers
Apples left after lunch = 5 – 2 = 3
we can read the equation ” 5 – 2 = 3 ” as ” Five minus two is equal to three”
Example 03
Suppose you have 6 pencils with you and you lost 1 pencil at your school
How many pencils left with you?
Solution
Number of pencils with you = 6
Pencils Lost = 1
Pencils left = 6 – 1 = 5
we can read the equation ” 6 – 1 = 5 ” as ” Six minus one is equal to five”
Sign of Subtraction
In order to subtract two numbers we use ” – ” sign.
For example:
If we want to subtract 6 with 2, it can be expressed as :
⟹ 6 – 2 = 4
The expression can be read as ” Six minus Two is equal to Six”
How to subtract two 1 digit number
Here we will see different methods we can use to subtract two given numbers. All the methods are equally useful to get the right answer, you have to choose the one which you find convenient to use.
Subtraction using Number line
Here we will take the help of number line for subtraction.
Let us understand this method with the help of examples.
Example 01
Subtract 10 – 6 = ?
Solution
Do the following steps:
Step 1 : Start at number 10
Step 2 : Take 6 jumps towards the left
Step 3 : Stop at number 4
From the number line you can see ⟹ 10 – 6 = 4
Hence number 4 is the right answer
we can read the equation ” 10 – 6 = 4 ” as ” Nine minus six is equal to four”
Example 02
Subtract 6 – 4 = ?
Solution
Do the following steps:
Step 1 : Start at number 6
Step 2 : Take 4 jumps towards the left on the number line
Step 3 : Stop at number 2
From the number line you can see ⟹ 6 – 4 = 2
Hence number 2 is the right answer
we can read the equation ” 6 – 4 = 2 ” as ” Six minus Four is equal to Two”
Example 03
Subtract 13 – 7 = ?
Solution
Do the following steps:
Step 1 : Start at number 13
Step 2 : Take 7 jumps towards the left on the number line
Step 3 : Stop at number 6
From the number line you can see ⟹ 13 – 7 = 6
Hence number 6 is the right answer
we can read the equation ” 13 – 7 = 6 ” as ” Thirteen minus seven is equal to six”
Subtraction using Number Counting
In this method we will do subtraction by manually counting numbers.
Let us understand the concept with the help of examples.
Example 01
Subtract 5 – 3= ?
Solution
Do the following steps:
Step 01: Write all the numbers up to 5 sequentially
Step 02 : Cancel 3 strokes from the right
Step 03: Only 2 strokes are left.
From the above steps, you will find ⟹ 5 – 3 = 2
Hence 2 is the right answer
we can read the equation ” 5 – 3 = 2 ” as ” Five minus three is equal to two”
Example 02
Subtract 7 – 4= ?
Solution
Do the following steps:
Step 01: Write all the numbers up to 7 sequentially
Step 02 : Cancel 4 strokes from the right
Step 03: Only 3 strokes are left.
From the above steps, you will find ⟹ 7 – 4 = 3
Hence 3 is the right answer
we can read the equation ” 7 – 4 = 3 ” as ” Seven minus Four is equal to three”
Example 03
Subtract 10 – 5 = ?
Solution
Do the following steps:
Step 01: Write all the numbers up to 10 sequentially
Step 02 : Cancel 5 strokes from the right
Step 03: Only 5 strokes are left.
From the above steps, you will find ⟹ 10 – 5 = 5
Hence 5 is the right answer
we can read the equation ” 10 – 5 = 5 ” as ” Ten minus Five is equal to five”
Example 04
Subtract 6 – 6 = ?
Solution
Do the following steps:
Step 01: Write all the numbers up to 6 sequentially
Step 02 : Cancel 6 strokes from the right
Step 03: 0 strokes left.
From the above steps, you will find ⟹ 6 – 6 = 0
Hence 0 is the right answer
we can read the equation ” 6 – 6 = 0 ” as ” Six minus six is equal to zero”
Subtraction using Finger Counting
You can also take the help of your fingers in order to subtract two numbers.
This is the most suitable method of subtraction for kids as it is both easy and convenient to do calculation without the help of pen and paper.
Let us understand this with the help of example
Example 01
Subtract 9 – 4 = ?
Solution
So the following steps:
Step 01: Open 9 fingers using both the hands
Step 02: Close 4 fingers from the right
Step 03: Count the number of fingers left open (in this case 5)
Following above steps, we will get ⟹ 9 – 4 = 5
Hence 5 is the right answer.
we can read the equation ” 9 – 4 = 5 ” as ” Nine minus Four is equal to Five”
Example 02
Subtract 7 – 3 = ?
Solution
So the following steps:
Step 01: Open 7 fingers using both the hands
Step 02: Close 3 fingers from the right
Step 03: Count the number of fingers left open (in this case 4)
Following above steps, we will get ⟹ 7 – 3 = 4
Hence 4 is the right answer.
we can read the equation ” 7 – 3 = 4 ” as ” Seven minus Three is equal to Four”
Example 03
Subtract 5 – 2 = ?
Solution
So the following steps:
Step 01: Open 5 fingers using one of your the hand
Step 02: Close 2 fingers from the right
Step 03: Count the number of fingers left open (in this case 3)
Following above steps, we will get ⟹ 5 – 2 = 3
Hence 3 is the right answer.
we can read the equation ” 5 – 2 = 3 ” as ” Five minus Two is equal to Three”
Example 04
Subtract 10 – 2 = ?
Solution
So the following steps:
Step 01: Open 10 fingers using both the hands
Step 02: Close 2 fingers from the right
Step 03: Count the number of fingers left open (in this case 8)
Following above steps, we will get ⟹ 10 – 2 = 8
Hence 8 is the right answer.
we can read the equation ” 10 – 2 = 8 ” as ” Ten minus Two is equal to Eight”
