What Are Subtraction Word Problems?
Subtraction word problems tell stories about taking things away!
When we read subtraction word problems, we imagine real situations where things are being removed or lost. We use subtraction (the minus sign -) to find out how many are left after some are taken away.
How to Solve Subtraction Word Problems
1️⃣ Listen/Read the problem carefully
2️⃣ Find the numbers in the story
3️⃣ Decide if we're taking away (subtracting)
Let's Practice Together!
Example 1: Apple Orchard
Sam picked 14 apples from the tree. He gave 6 apples to his friend. How many apples does Sam have left?
Sam has 8 apples left!
14 apples - 6 apples = 8 apples
Example 2: Pet Store
The pet store had 16 puppies. They sold 9 puppies. How many puppies are still at the store?
There are 7 puppies left at the store!
16 puppies - 9 puppies = 7 puppies
Let's count down from 16: 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7!
Parent Tips 🌟
- Use real objects like toys or snacks to act out subtraction problems - this makes math tangible and fun!
- Draw pictures to visualize the problem - crossing out items helps children understand "taking away."
- Connect to daily life - ask questions like "If we had 12 cookies and ate 4, how many are left?" during snack time.