Primary 1 maths · Operations · About 8 minutes
Subtract by taking away
Cross out the counters taken away. Count the rest.
Start the interactive lesson →Practise: Take-away picnic
What you will learn
- Subtract by taking away
Models used: number sentences, stories, diagrams.
Before you start
Take away, and see what remains
We have 5 counters and take away 2. How many are left? (5 − 2)
Each counter stands for one object. Count each counter once to find how many there are.
Start with 5 counters.
The picture starts with 5 counters. Crosses mark 2 taken away. Count only the counters without crosses to find what remains.
Take away 2. Cross them out.
The picture starts with 5 counters. Crosses mark 2 taken away. Count only the counters without crosses to find what remains.
Count what is left: 1, 2, 3.
The picture starts with 5 counters. Crosses mark 2 taken away. Count only the counters without crosses to find what remains.
So 5 − 2 = 3.
5 − 2 = 3
Blue counters stayed. Orange counters are the 2 we put back. Together they restore our starting 5.
Put back what we took away. Check: 3 + 2 = 5.
3 + 2 = 5
32
What did the picture help us see?
Put back what we took away. Check: 3 + 2 = 5.
Worked example: A new example, together
What is 14 − 11?
Blue counters stay. Crossed counters have been taken away.
Each counter stands for one object. Count each counter once to find how many there are.
Start with 14 counters.
The picture starts with 14 counters. Crosses mark 11 taken away. Count only the counters without crosses to find what remains.
Take away 11. Cross them out.
The picture starts with 14 counters. Crosses mark 11 taken away. Count only the counters without crosses to find what remains.
Count what is left: 1, 2, 3.
The picture starts with 14 counters. Crosses mark 11 taken away. Count only the counters without crosses to find what remains.
Use the picture and the steps we have just followed to finish this question.
What is 14 − 11?
3
The picture starts with 14 counters. Crosses mark 11 taken away. Count only the counters without crosses to find what remains.
So 14 − 11 = 3.
14 − 11 = 3
Blue counters stayed. Orange counters are the 11 we put back. Together they restore our starting 14.
Put back what we took away. Check: 3 + 11 = 14.
3 + 11 = 14
311
Common mistakes to discuss
- Counting the removed group. The crossed counters have left. The answer is the group that stays, so 12 − 4 is the 8 remaining, not the 4 taken.
Check your understanding
- Subtract by taking away
- find how many stay after taking some away
- check the answer against the original quantities and units
Explain your reasoning to an adult, then try a fresh question in the interactive lesson. A result from one attempt is not proof of lasting mastery.
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