Unit 3: Subtraction

Topic A: Subtraction

Subtraction takes an amount away from another amount. The result of subtraction is called the difference.

The minus sign − means to subtract. 9 minus 6 is 6

This says nine minus three equals six or nine take away three is six. The difference between 9 and 3 is 6.

Subtraction is the opposite of addition. Look at the examples:

Addition Subtraction
5 + 4 = 9 9 – 4 = 5
4 + 5 = 9 9 – 5 = 4
[latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&8\\ + &3\\ \hline &11\end{array}[/latex] [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}11\\ − &3 \\ \hline &8\end{array}[/latex]
[latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&3 \\+ &8 \\ \hline &11\end{array}[/latex] [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}11 \\− &8 \\ \hline&3\end{array}[/latex]

Subtraction facts are a tool that you use to do subtraction questions.

Exercise One

Check out your subtraction facts by doing this exercise as quickly as you can. Then, make a list of any subtraction facts you do not know or are tricky for you – practice them.

  1. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&5\\-&2\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  2. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&9\\-&1\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  3. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&12\\-&4\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  4. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&4\\-&2\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  5. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&17\\-&9\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  6. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&2\\-&1\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  7. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&11\\-&9\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  8. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&7\\-&7\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  9. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&14\\-&6\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  10. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&16\\-&9\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  11. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&9\\-&3\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  12. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&8\\-&1\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  13. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&9\\-&0\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  14. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&14\\-&8\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  15. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&10\\-&5\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  16. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&15\\-&8\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]

Answers to Exercise One

  1. 3
  2. 8
  3. 8
  4. 2
  5. 8
  6. 1
  7. 2
  8. 0
  9. 8
  10. 7
  11. 6
  12. 7
  13. 9
  14. 6
  15. 5
  16. 7

Note: There is no self-test for this topic.

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Adult Literacy Fundamental Mathematics: Book 2 – 2nd Edition Copyright © 2022 by Wendy Tagami and Liz Girard is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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