Subtraction is a mathematical operation used to find the difference between two numbers. In pre-primary classes, introduction to subtraction is done through pictures and manipulatives like counting and removing blocks or beans, number charts, and number lines.
Subtraction using a number line up to 10 is practised first, and as the child grows up, complexity in questions is created, like the following :
Subtraction using number line (up to 100)
It is easy to subtract 2 digits using the blank number line. Numbers to be subtracted are marked on the blank number line.
Subtraction using a number line is done by following the steps:
- Draw a blank number line, taking a larger number on the right end.
- Jump the tens, then jump the units.
For Example : To subtract 74 from 23,
- Mark the bigger number (74) on the number line.
- Count backward 2 times by tens and 4 times by ones.
Thus, 74 – 23 = 51
Subtraction by column method :
Kids should have good knowledge of place value before learning the column method, where each digit in a number represents a different value based on its position (ones, tens, hundreds, etc.).
In the subtraction by column method, subtrahend and minuend (numbers to be subtracted) are split and arranged in columns according to place value. Then digits in each column are subtracted separately, starting from the extreme right column of ones to the extreme left column.
Let’s use simple two-digit numbers to illustrate the process.
For example : Subtract 84 from 12.
Write down the numbers vertically, aligning the place value digits (ones under ones, tens under tens).
Begin subtracting from the rightmost place value digit (ones place) and move leftward.
Larger numbers or three-digit numbers can be introduced to increase the difficulty level as the child grows up. More complex questions of subtraction with regrouping should be practised as the child’s age progresses.
Teaching subtraction without regrouping with kid-friendly, clear, and easy-to-understand posters :
Ignite kids’ curiosity with engaging stories for role play and skits, making the learning of this concept an exciting and effective experience. Teaching subtraction without regrouping through stories from Uncle Math School by Fun2do Labs :
Teaching subtraction without regrouping by activities : Learning subtraction can be made enjoyable by incorporating interactive games and activities.
Toy Blocks Subtraction :
Kids always love playing with blocks. Learning subtraction with blocks can be really fun and captivating for kids. For practising subtraction using blocks, kids are given a fixed number of blocks and instructed to do the following :
- Count all the blocks given and arrange them in the group of tens and ones.
- Pick the flash card and align the blocks in the columns provided.
- Subtract the ones column first, then the tens column by removing the given number of legos.
- As here in example : 47–14, a total of 47 blocks can be given to a kid, and a flash card can be made showing columns of tens and ones.
Help your kids practise subtraction without regrouping with interesting and engaging fun worksheets and solutions from Uncle Math by Fun2do Labs.
