What Does It Mean to Subtract?
Subtraction is like taking away or removing things.
When we subtract a one-digit number (like 3 or 7) from a two-digit number (like 15 or 24), we're taking
away a small amount from a bigger amount. It's like if you have 12 cookies and eat 4, how many are left?
How to Subtract Step by Step
1️⃣ Look at the two-digit number first (like 18)
2️⃣ Find the ones place (that's the last digit - in 18 it's 8)
3️⃣ Subtract the one-digit number from the ones place
4️⃣ Keep the tens digit the same (unless you need to borrow, but we'll learn that later!)
Let's Practice Together!
Example 1: 15 - 3 = ?
1
Tens
5
Ones
3
Subtract
Example 2: 24 - 6 = ?
2
Tens
4
Ones
6
Subtract
Parent Tips 🌟
- Use physical objects like blocks or cereal pieces to make subtraction visual. "Here are 17 Cheerios. If we eat 5, how many are left?"
- Make it a game - create subtraction flashcards and time how many your child can solve correctly in one minute.
- Connect to real life - ask subtraction questions throughout the day ("You had 12 stickers and gave 3 to your friend. How many do you have now?").