Subtraction sentences for word problems – numbers up to 10

key points

🔹 What is Subtraction?

• Subtraction means taking away.
• It tells us how many are left.
• Example: 5 − 2 = 3

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🔹 Understanding Word Problems

• Word problems are short stories with numbers.
• Look for words like:
  • take away
  • left
  • gave away
  • lost
• These words tell us to subtract.

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🔹 Parts of a Subtraction Sentence

• Total (Starting number) → how many at first
• Take away (Subtract) → how many go away
• Left (Answer) → how many remain

👉 Example:
“There are 8 apples. 3 are eaten.”
Sentence: 8 − 3 = 5

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🔹 Steps to Solve Word Problems

1. Read the problem carefully 📖
2. Find the numbers 🔢
3. Understand what is taken away ➖
4. Write the subtraction sentence ✏️
5. Solve and check ✔️

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🔹 Use Objects or Fingers

• Use fingers, toys, or drawings to help count.
• Example: Draw 6 circles, cross out 2 → count what is left.

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🔹 Number Range (0–10)

• All subtraction problems use numbers up to 10.
• Answers will also be 10 or less.

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🔹 Example Word Problems

• 🐦 “There are 7 birds. 2 fly away. How many left?”
  👉 7 − 2 = 5
• 🍬 “You have 9 candies. You give 4 to a friend.”
  👉 9 − 4 = 5
• 🚗 “There are 6 cars. 1 goes away.”
  👉 6 − 1 = 5

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🔹 Important Tips 🌟

• Always start with the bigger number.
• Count carefully to avoid mistakes.
• Practice with real-life situations.

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🎯 Learning Goal

Students should be able to:

• Understand simple word problems
• Write subtraction sentences
• Solve problems with numbers up to 10

Understanding Subtraction

• Subtraction is taking away or finding the difference between two numbers.
• Symbols: Use the minus sign (-) and the equal sign (=).

Subtraction Sentences

• A subtraction sentence is a mathematical expression, e.g., 8 − 3 = 5.
• The first number is the minuend (the total or starting number).
• The second number is the subtrahend (the number being taken away).
• The result is the difference.

Numbers Up to 10

• Focus on subtraction within the range of 0 – 10.
• Examples: 10 − 5 = 5, 6 − 2 = 4, 7 − 7 = 0 .

Using Word Problems

• Word problems describe real-life scenarios.
• Example: “Lily had 7 apples. She gave 3 to her friend. How many does she have left?”
• Write the subtraction sentence: 7−3 = 4 .

Steps to Solve Word Problems

• Step 1: Read the problem carefully.
• Step 2: Identify the total, the part taken away, and what is left.
• Step 3: Write the subtraction sentence.
• Step 4: Solve the subtraction sentence.

Learn with an example

Let’s practice!