Subtraction

Terms · Counting Back · Borrowing · Practice

Watch the apples cancel each other out — survivors move to the answer row.

−

What is Subtraction?

Subtraction finds the difference between two numbers — how much is left after taking one away. Symbol: −

Start with

Minuend

Take away

Subtrahend

Result

Difference

Mental Strategies

Count Back14−5: start at 14, count 13,12,11,10,9.

Number BondsUse known pairs that make 10. 10−3=7 because 3+7=10.

Count Up (Difference)Count up from smaller to larger. 52−47: count 47→52 = 5.

Round & Adjust63−29 → 63−30+1 = 34.

Column Subtraction & Borrowing

Line up digits. Subtract right to left. When top digit < bottom digit, borrow 1 ten from the left column.

Example: 523 − 168

−

Ones: 3<8 → borrow: 13−8=5 | Tens: 1<6 → borrow: 11−6=5 | Hundreds: 4−1 = 3

Key Facts

Subtraction is the inverse of addition: if 6+7=13 then 13−7=6.

Subtracting 0 leaves a number unchanged: n−0=n.

Subtracting a number from itself gives 0: n−n=0.

Order matters — subtraction is not commutative: 9−3 ≠ 3−9.

The People Behind MathTrainer

Meet Our Founders

Founder

Mathematics & Science Expert and Educator

Co-Founder

SDET - Technology & Maths Enthusiast

Passionate about building educational tools that make learning feel like play
MathTrainer was born from a simple belief: math is not boring when presented the right way