What Subtraction Means: Taking Some Away from a Group

Think about where you have seen this before. Subtraction happens whenever something leaves. Birds fly off a wire. Cookies disappear from a plate. Coins leave a pocket. Each time, something is left behind. That amount is the answer. This is worth learning. You will use taking away every day, from sharing snacks to spending coins.

Watch for taking away today. When you spot it, tell someone what you noticed. Tell them how you knew. Now take a deep breath and look at this. Subtraction means taking away. Start with eight grapes. Eat three of them. Count what is left. Five grapes stay on your plate.

That is subtraction. You began with a whole group. Some of it left. You found the part that stayed. Notice that the answer is always smaller than what you started with. The one time it is not is when you take away zero. Some words give you a clue about subtraction.

Listen for took, left, ate, gave away, or lost. A common mistake is subtracting the wrong direction. Eight take away three is five. Three take away eight cannot be done with your grapes. You do not have eight to remove. Begin with the larger amount. Say thank You to God, who gave you that thinking mind.