Taking Away

Subtraction means taking some away to see how many are left. We use the minus sign (−) for subtraction.

How Subtraction Works

If you have 5 cookies and eat 2, you subtract 2 from 5 to find out how many are left.

Ways to Subtract

• Use fingers to take some away
• Draw pictures and cross out
• Use number lines to count backward

Subtraction Sentences

A subtraction sentence looks like this: \( 7 - 3 = 4 \). The number you start with is called the minuend, the number you take away is the subtrahend, and the answer is the difference.

Real-World Connections

Subtraction helps you know how many pieces are left after sharing, or how much money you have after buying something.