Think addition
Ask what goes with the smaller number to make the larger one.
8 − 5
= 5 + ? = 8
What goes with 5 to make 8?
= 5 + 3 = 8
5 + 3 = 8 is an addition fact.
= 3
Each problem subtracts one number from another using numbers from 1 to 9.
The number you subtract is never larger than the number you start with, so no answer is negative.
0 to 8 Smallest: 1 − 1 = 0
Largest: 9 − 1 = 8
Typical level: Early elementaryIn the U.S. Common Core, Grade 1 includes subtraction within 20 and fluency within 10. Curriculum timing varies.
Ask what goes with the smaller number to make the larger one.
8 − 5
What goes with 5 to make 8?
5 + 3 = 8 is an addition fact.
Works well when only 1, 2 or 3 are taken away. Start at 9 and count back two: 8, 7.
9 − 2
Answers one too high or low? When counting back, don’t count the number you start on. For 9 − 3, start at 9 and count back three times: 8, 7, 6. If think addition feels slow, practice the addition facts first with 1-Digit Addition.