Grade 2 Mathematics Subtraction – Subtraction Of Single Digits Notes
Mathematics — Subtraction
Subtopic: Subtraction Of Single Digits (Age 7)
Subtraction means taking away. We start with some objects and remove some. The answer is how many are left.
Words to know:
- Subtract = take away
- Minus (−) = sign for subtraction
- Difference = the answer
1) Take-away picture
Look: 5 apples. Take away 2. How many left?
🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
take away
🍎🍎
=
🍎🍎🍎
So: 5 − 2 = 3
2) Count back on fingers or with numbers
Example: 7 − 3. Start at 7, count back 3 steps: 6, 5, 4. Answer is 4.
7
→
6
→
5
→
4
3) Use a number line
Put your finger on the first number. Jump back the number you subtract.
0
0 1
1 2
2 3
3 4
4 5
5 6
6 7
7 8
8 9
9
0 1
1 2
2 3
3 4
4 5
5 6
6 7
7 8
8 9
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Example: 7 − 3. Put finger on 7, jump back 3 steps to 4.
4) Missing addend (another way)
Find the number that plus 3 makes 7. Ask: 3 + ? = 7. Answer is 4. So 7 − 3 = 4.
Practice — Try these
- 9 − 4 = _____
- 8 − 5 = _____
- 6 − 1 = _____
- 7 − 3 = _____
- 5 − 5 = _____
- 4 − 2 = _____
- 3 − 1 = _____
- 2 − 2 = _____
- 1 − 0 = _____
- 9 − 7 = _____
Answers (click to see)
- 5
- 3
- 5
- 4
- 0
- 2
- 2
- 0
- 1
- 2
Tips for parents and teachers
- Use real objects: stones, counters, beads or fruits to show take-away.
- Let the child count back on fingers or on a number line.
- Start with easy examples (subtract 0–3) and practise daily for 5–10 minutes.
- Praise correct answers and gently correct mistakes by showing steps.
Good work! Keep practising subtraction of single digits and have fun counting.