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Subtraction Word Problem Worksheets

The extensive set of subtraction word problems featured here will require the learner to find the difference between minuends and subtrahends, which includes problems with regrouping and without regrouping. This large collection of printable word problem worksheets, ideal for children in kindergarten through grade 4 features scenarios that involve single-digit subtraction, two-digit subtraction, three-digit subtraction, and subtraction of large numbers up to six digits. Give yourself a head-start with our free subtraction worksheets!

Word Problems for Beginners: 0 to 10

Find the difference between the numbers that ranges from 0 to 10 in the set of kindergarten worksheets featured here. Use the answer key to verify your responses.

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Subtraction within 20

Ascend from a beginner to a proficient in performing subtraction up to 20 as you explore this bunch of well-researched word problems and work out the difference within 20.

Two-digit Subtraction: No Regrouping (No Borrowing)

The series of worksheets for grade 1 and grade 2 presented here involve two-digit subtraction word problems that do not require regrouping. Find the differences between the two-digit subtrahends and minuends featured here.

Two-digit Subtraction: Regrouping (Borrowing)

The two-digit subtraction word problems presented in the 2nd grade worksheets here require regrouping (borrowing). Determine the difference between the two-digit numbers by following the place value columns correctly.

Theme based Subtraction Problems

The colorful theme-based worksheet pdfs for kids in 1st grade through 3rd grade are based on three engaging real-life themes - Beach, Italian Ice and Birthday Party.

Three-digit and Two-digit Subtraction

The set of subtraction word problem pdfs featured here will require grade 3 student to find the difference between three-digit minuends and two-digit subtrahends. Use the answer keys to verify your responses.

Three-digit Subtraction Word Problems

Each printable worksheet contains five word problems finding difference between three-digit numbers. Some problems may require regrouping.

Four-digit Subtraction Word Problems

This section contains subtraction word problems on finding the difference between four-digit numbers. Both borrowing and no borrowing problems are included. Some problems may involve subtraction across zero.

Advanced: Large Number Subtraction

The word problems featured in the 4th grade pdf worksheets here include large numbers with minuends and subtrahends up to six digits. Determine the difference between the large numbers by following the place value columns correctly.

Related Worksheets

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Subtraction

Subtraction is the process of taking away a number from another. It is a primary arithmetic operation that is denoted by a subtraction symbol (-) and is the method of calculating the difference between two numbers.

What Is Subtraction?

Subtraction is an operation used to find the difference between numbers . When you have a group of objects and you take away a few objects from it, the group becomes smaller. For example, you bought 9 cupcakes for your birthday party and your friends ate 7 cupcakes. Now you are left with 2 cupcakes. This can be written in the form of a subtraction expression: 9 - 7 = 2 and is read as "nine minus seven equals two". When we subtract 7 from 9, (9 - 7) we get 2. Here, we performed the subtraction operation on two numbers 9 and 7 to get the difference of 2.

Subtraction Symbol

In mathematics, we have different symbols. The subtraction symbol is one of the important math symbols that we use while performing subtraction. In the above section, we read about subtracting two numbers 9 and 7. If we observe this subtraction: (9 - 7 = 2), the symbol (-) connects the two numbers and completes the given expression. This symbol is also known as the minus sign.

Subtraction Formula

When we subtract two numbers, we use some terms which are used in the subtraction expression:

• Minuend: The number from which the other number is subtracted.
• Subtrahend: The number which is to be subtracted from the minuend.
• Difference: The final result after subtracting the subtrahend from the minuend.

The subtraction formula is written as: Minuend - Subtrahend = Difference

Let us understand the subtraction formula or the mathematical equation of subtraction with an example.

Here, 9 is the minuend, 7 is the subtrahend, and 2 is the difference.

How To Solve Subtraction Problems?

While solving subtraction problems, one-digit numbers can be subtracted in a simple way, but for larger numbers, we split the numbers into columns using their respective place values , like Ones, Tens, Hundreds, Thousands, and so on. While solving such problems we may encounter some cases with borrowing and some without borrowing. Subtraction with borrowing is also known as subtraction with regrouping. When the minuend is smaller than the subtrahend, we use the regrouping method. While regrouping, we borrow 1 number from the preceding column to make the minuend bigger than the subtrahend. Let us understand this with the help of a few examples.

Subtraction Without Regrouping

Example: Subtract 25632 from 48756.

Note: In subtraction, we always subtract the smaller number from the larger number to get the correct answer.

Solution: Follow the given steps and try to relate them with the following figure.

Step 1: Start with the digit at ones place. (6 - 2 = 4) Step 2: Move to the tens place. (5 - 3 = 2) Step 3: Now subtract the digits at hundreds place. (7 - 6 = 1) Step 4: Now subtract the digits at thousands place. (8 - 5 = 3) Step 5: Finally, subtract the digits at ten thousands place. (4 - 2 = 2) Step 6: Therefore, the difference between the two given numbers is: 48756 - 25632 = 23124.

Subtraction With Regrouping

Example: Subtract 3678 from 8162.

Solution: Follow the given steps and try to relate them with the following figure. We need to solve: 8162 - 3678 Step 1: Start subtracting the digits at ones place. We can see that 8 is greater than 2. So, we will borrow 1 from the tens column which will make it 12. Now, 12 - 8 = 4 ones. Step 2: After giving 1 to the ones column in the previous step, 6 becomes 5. Now, let us subtract the digits at the tens place (5 - 7). Here, 7 is greater than 5, so we will borrow 1 from the hundreds column. This will make it 15. So,15 - 7 = 8 tens. Step 3: In step 2 we had given 1 to the tens column, so we are left with 0 at the hundreds place. To subtract the digits on the hundreds place, i.e., (0 - 6) we will borrow 1 from the thousands column. This will make it 10. So, 10 - 6 = 4 hundreds. Step 4: Now, let us subtract the digits at the thousands place. After giving 1 to the hundreds column, we have 7. So, 7 - 3 = 4 Step 5: Therefore, the difference between the two given numbers is: 8162 - 3678 = 4484

Subtraction Using Number Line

A number line is a visual aid that helps us understand subtraction because it allows us to jump backward and forward on each number. To understand how this works, let us explore subtraction using a number line. Let us subtract 4 from 9 using a number line. We will start by marking the number 9 on the number line. When we subtract using a number line, we count by moving one number at a time towards the left-hand side. Since we are subtracting 4 from 9, we will move 4 times to the left. The number on which you land after 4 backward jumps, is the answer. Thus, 9 - 4 = 5.

Real Life Subtraction Word Problems

The concept of subtraction is often used in our day-to-day activities. Let us understand how to solve real-life subtraction word problems with the help of an interesting example.

Example: A soccer match had a total of 4535 spectators. After the first innings, 2332 spectators left the stadium. Find the number of remaining spectators.

Solution: Given: The total number of spectators present in the first innings = 4535; The number of spectators who left the stadium after the first innings = 2332 Here, 4535 is the minuend and 2332 is the subtrahend.

Th H T O 4 5 3 5 -2 3 3 2 2 2 0 3

Therefore, the number of remaining spectators = 2203.

Important Notes on Subtraction:

Here are a few important notes that you can follow while performing subtraction in your everyday life.

• Any subtraction problem can be transformed into an addition problem and vice-versa.
• Subtracting 0 from any number gives the number itself as the difference.
• When 1 is subtracted from any number, the difference equals the predecessor of the number.
• Words like "Minus", "Less", "Difference", "Decrease", "Take Away" and "Deduct" indicate that you need to subtract one number from another.

Topics Related to Subtraction

Check out these interesting articles to know about subtraction and its related topics.

• Binary Subtraction
• Subtraction Calculator
• Addition and Subtraction of Fractions
• Subtraction of Complex Numbers
• Subtraction of Fractions

Subtraction Examples

Example 1: In an International cricket match, Sri Lanka scored 236 runs and India scored 126 runs. How many more runs should India score to be equal to the number of runs scored by Sri Lanka?

Runs scored by Sri Lanka = 236; Runs scored by India = 126 To find the number of runs that India should score more to be equal to the number of runs scored by Sri Lanka, we will subtract 126 from 236.

H T O 2 3 6 - 1 2 6 1 1 0

Therefore, India must score 110 more runs to be equal to Sri Lanka's runs.

Example 2: Jerry collected 189 seashells and Eva collected 54 shells. Who collected more seashells and by how much?

Number of shells collected by Jerry = 189; Number of shells collected by Eva = 54

This shows that Jerry collected more seashells. Let us subtract 189 - 54 to get the difference.

H T O 1 8 9 - 0 5 4 1 3 5

Therefore, Jerry collected 135 seashells more than Eva.

Example 3: During an annual Easter egg hunt, the participants found 2469 eggs in the clubhouse, out of which 54 Easter eggs were broken. Can you find out the number of unbroken eggs?

The number of easter eggs found in the Clubhouse = 2469; Number of easter eggs that were broken = 54; The total number of unbroken eggs=?

Now, we will subtract the number of broken eggs from the total number of eggs.

Th H T O 2 4 6 9 - 5 4 2 4 1 5

Therefore, the number of unbroken eggs are 2415.

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Practice Questions on Subtraction

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FAQs on Subtraction

Where do we use subtraction.

Subtraction is used in our day-to-day life. For example, if we want to know how much money we spent on the items that we bought, or, how much money is left with us, or, if we want to calculate the time left in finishing a task, we use subtraction.

What Are the Types of Subtraction?

The types of subtraction mean the various methods used in subtraction. For example, subtraction with and without regrouping, subtraction using number charts, subtraction using number line, the subtraction of small numbers using you fingers, and so on.

What Are Subtraction Strategies?

Subtraction strategies are different ways in which subtraction can be learned. For example, using a number line, with the help of a Place Value Chart, separating the Tens and Ones and then subtracting them separately, and many others.

Give Some Subtraction Examples.

There can be various real-life examples of subtraction. For example, if you have 5 apples and your friend ate 3 apples. Using subtraction, we can find out the number of remaining apples: 5 - 3 = 2. So, 2 apples are left with you. Similarly, if there are 16 students in a class, out of which 9 are girls, then we can find out the number of boys in the class by subtracting 9 from 16. (16 - 9 = 7). So, we know that there are 7 boys in the class.

What Are the Three Parts of Subtraction?

The 3 parts of subtraction are named as follows:

• Minuend: The number from which we subtract the other number is known as the minuend.
• Subtrahend: The number which is subtracted from the minuend is known as the subtrahend.
• Difference: The final result obtained after performing subtraction is known as the difference.

How Do You Write a Subtraction?

While writing subtraction, the two important symbols are '-' (minus) and '=' (equal to). The minus sign means when one number is being subtracted from the other number. And the equal to sign delivers the final result.

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Subtraction word problems for 3rd grade

Simple subtraction.

These grade 3 word problems use simple (horizontal) subtraction. The student should read the problem, write a subtraction equation from it and then answer the problem. Students should understand the meaning of subtraction and have studied their subtraction math facts prior to attempting these worksheets.

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Subtraction Word Problems (1-step word problems)

These lessons look at some examples of subtraction word problems that can be solved in one step, illustrating the use of bar models or block diagrams in the solution process.

Related Pages 2-step Subtraction Word Problems Using Bar Models Solving Word Problems Using Bar Models Singapore Math More Word Problems

We will illustrate how block diagrams can be used to help you to visualize the subtraction word problems in terms of the information given and the data that needs to be found. The block diagrams or block modeling method is used in Singapore Math.

Example: Jessica has 1135 beads. 604 beads are red and the rest are blue. How many blue beads does she have?

1135 – 604 = 531

She has 531 blue beads.

Example: James and Ken donated $2300 to a charitable organization. Ken donated $658. How much did James donate?

2300 – 658 = 1642 James donated $1642.

Example: The price of a car is $2795 and the price of a motorbike is $1063. What is the difference between the prices of the 2 vehicles?

Solution: 2795 – 1063 = 1732

The difference between the prices of the 2 vehicles is $1732.

Example: There are 967 chairs in a hall. During an event, 761 chairs were occupied. How many chairs were not occupied?

967 – 761 = 206 206 chairs were not occupied.

Examples of subtraction word problems

134 girls and 119 boys took part in an art competition. How many more girls than boys were there?

Mei Lin saved $184. She saved $63 more than Betty. How much did Betty saved?

John read 32 pages in the morning. He read 14 pages less in the afternoon. a) How many pages did he read in the afternoon? b) How many pages did they read altogether?

A visual way to solve world problems using bar modeling This type of word problem uses the part-whole model.

Example: Mr. Oliver bought 88 pencils. he sold 26 of them. How many pencils did he have left?

A visual way to solve world problems using bar modeling This type of word problem uses the part-whole model. Because the part is missing, this is a subtraction problem.

Example: There are 98 hats, 20 of them are pink and the rest are yellow. How many yellow hats are there?

Example: Cayla did 88 sit-ups in the morning. Nekira did 32 sit-ups at night. How many more sit-ups did Cayla do than Nekira?

How to use bar modeling in Singapore math to solve word problems that deal with comparing?

Example: Adam has 11 fewer lollipops than Hope. If Adam has 16 lollipops, how many lollipop does Hope have?

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Subtraction – Definition, Symbol, Examples, Practice Problems

What is subtraction in math, symbol of subtraction, regrouping in math, solved examples on subtraction, practice problems on subtraction, frequently asked questions on subtraction, subtraction: introduction.

Suppose we purchase ice cream for a certain amount of money, say $\$140$, and we give $\$200$ to the cashier. Now, the cashier returns the excess amount by performing subtraction such as $200 − 140 = 60$. Then, the cashier will return $\$60$.

What is exactly happening here?

The answer to this question is subtraction.

Subtraction is one of the four basic arithmetic operations in mathematics. The other three being addition , multiplication , and division .

We can observe the applications of subtraction in our day-to-day life in different situations. 

For example, if we have 3 candies and our friend asks us for 1 candy, how many candies are we left with? Simply, 

$3 − 1 = 2$

Let’s understand the concept with the help of the following example of apples.

In the example above, if Harry has 6 apples and he gives 3 apples to Jim, How many apples are left with him?

We can calculate this by subtracting 3 from 6:

$6 − 3 = 3$

Harry is left with 3 apples. 

Related Worksheets

Definition of Subtraction

The operation or process of finding the difference between two numbers or quantities is known as subtraction. To subtract a number from another number is also referred to as ‘taking away one number from another’. Some instances where we use subtraction are while making payments, transferring money to our friends and many more.

In mathematics, we have generally used different symbols for different operators. We have symbols like $+, −, /, *$ and many more. The subtraction symbol $“−”$ is one of the most important math symbols that we use. In the above section, we read about subtracting two numbers 6 and 3. If we observe this expression: $(6 − 3 = 3)$, the symbol $(−)$ between the two numbers is what denotes subtraction. This symbol is also known as the minus $(−)$ sign.

Formula of Subtraction Operation

When we subtract two numbers, we commonly use some terms that are used in a subtraction expression:

Minuend : A minuend is the number from which the other number is subtracted.

Subtrahend : A subtrahend is the number which is to be subtracted from the minuend.

Difference : A difference is the final result after subtracting the subtrahend from the minuend.

The subtraction formula is written as

Minuend $−$ Subtrahend $=$ Difference

For example, 

$7 − 3 = 4$

Here, 

$7 =$ Minuend

$3 =$ Subtrahend

$4 =$ Difference

What Is Minus in Math?

Minus is a sign or a symbol that is represented by a horizontal line . 

We use minus in mathematics for multiple representations.

Uses of Minus Sign

Subtraction operation.

Minus represents the arithmetic operation of subtraction between two numbers. We use minus sign to denote subtract, decreased by, take away, etc. 

For example,  

Minus sign also means how much is one value more than the other value.  

For example, Darby has 8 gingerbread with her and Olive has 3 gingerbreads. 

Darby has more gingerbreads by $(8 − 3) = 5$

To Represent Negative Integers

Integers are the numbers that are not in decimal or fractional form and include positive and negative numbers along with 0. We use the minus sign to represent the negative integers, i.e., the whole numbers which are less than zero (no fractions).

For representing a negative integer, we add a negative or minus sign in front of a whole number. For example, negative integer 5 is represented as: $(− 5)$

Use in Measurement

We also use the minus sign in measurement specially in temperature.  

For example, a temperature of  $− 4^{\circ} \text{C}$ means 4 degrees below zero.

Another example: The temperature is $5^{\circ} \text{C}$ and then drops $− 10^{\circ} \text{C}$. What is the temperature now? 

The temperature now $= 5 − 10 = − 5^{\circ} \text{C}$

To Represent Opposite Directions

We also use the minus sign to represent a negative direction on a graph paper to show the coordinates. 

The graph also runs in the negative direction. 

• In the first quadrant, the coordinates are of the form $(x,y)$. 
• In the second quadrant, the coordinates are of the form $(−x,y)$. 
• In the third quadrant, the coordinates are of the form $(−x,−y)$.
• In the fourth quadrant, the coordinates are of the form $(x,−y)$. 

Mathematical Operations on Integers Using “Minus” Sign

• Multiplication of two negative numbers gives a positive number.

Negative $\times$ Negative  $=$ Positive

For example, $(− 5) \times (− 15) = + 75$

• Multiplication of a negative number and a positive number gives a negative number.

Negative $\times$ Positive  $=$ Negative

For example, $(− 5) \times (15) = − 75$

• Addition of a negative number with a negative number will always give a negative number.

Negative $+$ Negative $=$ Negative

For example, $(− 3) + (− 4) = (− 7)$

• Subtracting a positive number from a negative number will always give a negative number.

If we subtract a positive number from a negative number, we start at the negative number and count backwards. 

Negative $−$ Positive $=$ Negative

Using the number line, let’s start at $− 3$.

For example: Say, we have the problem $(− 2) − 3$. 

Now count backwards 3 units. So, keep counting back three spaces from $− 2$ on the number line, we get

The answer is $(− 2) − 3 = − 5$.

• Subtracting a negative number from a negative number

A negative sign followed by a negative sign, turns the two signs into a positive sign. So, instead of subtracting a negative, you are adding a positive. The answer could be either positive or negative, depending on the magnitude of the numbers. 

Negative $−$ Negative $=$ Negative $+$ Positive

Basically, $− (− 5)$ becomes $+ 5$, and then you add the numbers.

For example, we have $(− 2) − (− 5)$. We can read it as “negative two minus negative 5”. We’re changing the two negative signs into a positive, so the equation now becomes $(− 2) + 5$.

On the number line, it starts at $− 2$.

Then we move forward 5 units: $+ 5$.

The answer is $− 2 − (− 5) = 3$.

• Subtracting a negative number from a positive number will always give a positive number.

When we subtract a negative number from a positive number, we turn the subtraction sign followed by a negative sign into a plus sign. So, instead of subtracting a negative, you’re adding a positive. So the equation turns into a simple addition problem.

Positive – Negative = Positive + Positive

For example, let’s say we have the problem $2 − (− 4)$. This reads “two minus negative four.” The $− (− 4)$ turns into $+ 4$.

On the number line we start at 2.

Then we move forward three units: $2 + 4$.

The answer is $2 − (− 4) = 6$.

Methods of Subtraction

There are various methods for subtraction. In this article, we shall be discussing three of them.

Visual representation

One of the methods is to use a diagram showing what you start with, what you are taking away, and what you are left with.

For example, we have 5 balls, now a friend asks for 2 balls, we can easily calculate that we are left with 2 balls using the concept of subtraction by depicting it through a diagram as given below: 

Another method to perform subtraction is by using a number line.

Subtraction on Number Lines

If we want to calculate 5 minus 2, we start from 5. Since we need to subtract 2,  we take 2 steps back. Finally we observe that we are standing at 3. 

So, this is how $5 − 2$ is calculated on the number line. 

This is a number line representation of the expression.

Column method

The generally used method is the column method of subtraction, where we separate the numbers into ones, tens, hundreds and so on and write the minuend above the subtrahend, where all the ones are in one column, all the tens are in another column and so on. In this method, we always start the subtraction with the ones and proceed from right to left. 

Regrouping in math can be defined as the process of making/breaking groups when carrying out operations like addition and subtraction. To regroup means to rearrange groups in place value to carry out an operation. We use regrouping in subtraction, when digits in the minuend are smaller than the digits in the same place of the subtrahend.

This process is called regrouping as we are regrouping numbers or rearranging them into their place value to carry out this process. When we use regrouping in subtraction, it is also sometimes called borrowing.

Subtraction with Regrouping

In subtraction, we sometimes use the concept of regrouping between numbers. When the numbers are subtracted using the column method and the bottom digit is greater than the upper digit, we regroup the numbers to be able to subtract.

Let us understand subtraction using this regrouping example, which includes finding the answer to the expression $31 − 19$.

Here, we first subtract the unit place digit of the number in the lower slot with the upper slot. If the number in the lower slot is larger than the number in the upper slot, regrouping takes place, also called borrowing. In this case, we subtract one from the tens place digit from the upper slot number and write the remaining number above it, that is, we take 1 from 3 making it 2 which we wrote above 3, while this 1 that we subtracted is “borrowed” to the unit place, making it a 10 and adding it to the unit place existing number, giving us a two digit number. In simpler words 10 is borrowed from the tens place digit and added to the unit place digit. In the above example, 10 is added to the unit place digit i.e. 1 and we write 11 above the unit place digit. 

Now, we move on to the real subtraction of the two numbers. The number of the unit place of the upper slot can now be subtracted from the unit place number of the lower slot, i.e. $11 − 9$ giving us 2. While we normally take the remaining number from the upper slot i.e. 2 and subtract the lower slot number from it, i.e., $2 − 1$, giving us 1, which leaves us with 12 as the final answer.

Here’s how we regroup hundred and tens to subtract 182 from 427:

Properties of Subtraction

Here are a few important properties of subtraction in our everyday life.

• Commutative property of subtraction:

Commutative property states that swapping of numbers does not alter the result. But in subtraction, we cannot get the same output when we put minuend in place of subtrahend and vice versa. Hence, commutative property is not possible in case of subtraction.

For example, $8 − 5$ is not equal to $5 − 8$.

• Identity property of subtraction:

Identity property states that when we subtract “0” from a number, the resultant is the number itself.

For example, $5 − 0 = 5$.

• Inverse Property of Subtraction (Subtracting a number by itself):

When we subtract a number from itself, the resultant is always “0.”

$\text{A} − \text{A} = 0$

For example, $9 − 9 = 0$.

• Subtraction Property of Equality

According to the property, if we subtract any number on both sides of an equation, the equality of the equation still holds.

For the given algebra equation;

$\Rightarrow \times − 3 = 5$

If we subtract the same number on both sides, the equation will still hold true. Here we will subtract 8 from both sides. 

$\Rightarrow \times − 3 − 8 = 5 − 8$

$\Rightarrow \times − 11 = − 3$

• Distributive Property of Subtraction

According to the property, the multiplication of subtraction of numbers is equal to subtraction of the multiplication of individual numbers.

$\text{A} \times (\text{B} − \text{C}) = \text{A} \times \text{B} − \text{A} \times \text{C}$

For example: $3 \times (5 − 2) = 3 \times 3 = 9$ and $3 \times 5 − 3 \times 2 = 15 − 6 = 9$

In this article, we have learned about subtraction, its definition with example, the symbols used for it, the common methods used for subtraction. We also learned about the minus sign. The minus sign is used for different purposes. Let’s practice our understanding with a few solved examples and practice problems and solved examples.

1. In a soccer match, Team A scored 5 goals and Team B scored 9 goals. Which team scored more goals and by how much?

Goals scored by Team $\text{A}  = 5$; 

Goals scored by Team $\text{B} = 9$

We can clearly see that Team B scored more goals. To calculate the numbers of goals by which Team B exceeded, we will subtract 5 from 9. 

$9 − 5 = 4$

Therefore, Team B scored 4 more goals than Team A.

2. Jeff has 120 pens. Her friend Tim has 50 pens less than Jeff. How many pens does Tim have?

As we know, the term “less than” refers to the operation subtraction.

Jeff $= 120$

Tim $= 120 − 50 = 70$

Therefore, Tim has 70 pens.

3. During an annual Easter egg hunt, the participants found 52 eggs in the clubhouse, out of which 14 Easter eggs were broken. Can you find out the exact number of unbroken eggs?

The number of easter eggs found in the Clubhouse $= 52$;

Number of easter eggs that were broken $= 14$;

The total number of unbroken eggs $=$ ?

Now, we will subtract the number of broken eggs from the total number of eggs.

Therefore, the number of unbroken eggs is 38.

4. Jerry collected 194 fishes and Evan collected 132 fishes. Who collected more fish and by how much?

Number of fishes collected by Jerry $= 194$; 

Number of fishes collected by Evan $= 132$

This shows that Jerry collected more fish. Let us subtract $194 − 132$ to get the difference.

Therefore, Jerry collected 62 fish more than Evan.

5. By how much is 5251 less than 6556?

From the given, it is clear that 6556 is greater than 5251 .

Now subtract 5251 from 6556.

$6556 − 5251 = 1305$

Therefore, 5251 is less than 6556 by 1305.

6. What is the value of 794 minus 658?

Solution: $794 − 658 = 136$

7. When Steve woke up, his temperature was $101^{\circ} \text{F}$ . Two hours later, it was 3º lower. What was his temperature after two hours?

Solution: Temperature at the time of Steve waking up $= 101^{\circ} \text{F}$

Temperature after 2 hours $= 101^{\circ} \text{F} − 3^{\circ} \text{F} = 98^{\circ} \text{F}$ 

8. What will be the coordinates of A if $x = −5$ and  $y = − 7$ . In which quadrant will A lie?

Solution: Since it is given that $x = − 5$ and  $y = − 7$, the coordinates of A will be $(− 5, − 7)$. Also, as both the coordinates are negative, i.e., $( − x, − y)$, A will lie in the third quadrant. 

9. An elevator is on the eighteenth floor. It goes down 13 floors. What floor is the elevator on now?

Solution: The floor on which the elevator is now $= 18 − 13 = 5$th floor

10. Is $(4 − 6)  =  (6 − 4)$ ?

Solution: Let us find the solution to both of them.

On the left side, $4 − 6 = − 2$ 

Whereas, on the right side, $6 − 4 = 2$

We can clearly see that $2 \neq − 2$.

So, $(4 − 6)$  is not equal to $(6 − 4)$.

Subtract - Definition with Examples

Attend this quiz & Test your knowledge.

On subtracting 69 from 108, we get

What is the difference between 155 and 56?

Derek has 25 apples and he gave 18 apples to his brother. How many apples is Derek left with?

Look at the given number line. What equation would correctly match the solution on the number line?

On subtracting 1267 from 1513, we get

Why is the answer to a subtraction problem called the difference?

Because if you subtract a smaller number from a bigger number the result is the difference between the two numbers. 

Example: Subtract 2 from 6

$6 − 2 = 4$

But, the number 6 is also 4 bigger than 2. It is the difference between the two numbers.

Which other operation has the output smaller than the input?

Another operation where the output is smaller than the input is division.

Is subtraction associative?

No, subtraction is not associative. Let us look at it using an example. $10 − (5 − 1) \neq (10 − 5) − 1$

Can we subtract a larger number from a smaller number?

Yes, we can subtract a larger number from a smaller number. The resultant will be a negative number.

Mathematically speaking, why does subtraction by “counting up” work?

When we subtract 2 numbers, we can do it in two ways. Let’s take an example of subtracting 5 from 8. You can either take 8 and subtract 5 from it, or you can begin with 5 and count up to 8. When you begin with 5 and count up to 8, you do it 3 times: 6, 7 and 8. So, 3 will be the difference between 5 and 8.

What is the difference between minus sign and plus sign?

Minus sign is denoted by a horizontal symbol, i.e., $−$, and it means to subtract or take away. Whereas, the plus sign is denoted by intersection of horizontal and vertical lines, i.e., $+$ which means to add or find the sum.

Does commutative property hold true for subtraction?

The commutative property does not hold for subtraction. It means for any two whole numbers, $\text{A} − \text{B} \neq \text{B} − \text{A}$.For example: $3 − 5 = − 2$ and $5 − 3 = 2$ and $− 2 \neq 2$.

Does Associative property hold true for subtraction?

The associative property does not hold for subtraction. It means for any three whole numbers A, B, and C.

$\text{A} – (\text{B} – \text{C}) \neq (\text{A} – \text{B}) – \text{C}$ For example: $(2 – 3) – 5 = – 1 – 5 = – 6$ and $2 – (3 – 5) = 2 + 2$ and $– 6 \neq 4$.

What is a minuend and a subtrahend?

In a subtraction equation, minuend is the highest number from which a component would be subtracted. A subtrahend is the term that denotes the number being subtracted from another.

Who discovered the minus sign?

Robert Recorde introduced the modern use of minus to the UK in 1557. The first appearance of the minus sign was given by Johannes Widmann in 1489 and was found in his book called “Mercantile Arithmetic.”

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Math & ELA | PreK To Grade 5

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Quick Subtraction

This is a special method of subtraction which many people find quickest (once they get used to it!).

Start Normally

We start the same way as Subtraction by Regrouping (but we aren't going to be doing any regrouping):

• write down the larger number first and the smaller number directly below it making sure to line up the columns!
• then do subtractions one column at a time like this (press play button):

Smaller Number - Bigger Number

And this is how to do it:

With a bit of experience the "what adds to 10" becomes automatic. 1↔9, 2↔8, 3↔7, 4↔6, 5↔5, and the rest is easy. Practice at What Makes 10? .

Here is an example where we need to do it three times. This example is done at full speed (without showing all steps), so you may need to watch it a few times!