Beginning Subtraction With Signs

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

The problem above is a subtraction problem.

In the previous Related Lesson in our Beginning Subtraction series, found in the right-hand sidebar, you learned how to subtract by crossing out objects. In this lesson, you will learn how to solve numerical subtraction problems like the one above.

Look at how the problem is written: 5 - 2 =

Let's solve this using big yellow dots.

The first thing you need to do is find the bigger number. Five is bigger than two, so you will start by drawing five dots in all:

Five is your bigger number. You always start by drawing out the bigger number in the problem. How many do you need to take away from five? Tell your parent or teacher. You can use the problem written below to help you:

5 – 2 =

That's right! The next number in the problem is 2. You need to take two away from five.

Look at the dots below. How many are crossed off? Share your answer with your parent or teacher.

That's right! Two dots are crossed off.

If you take away two from five, how many dots are left? Share your answer with your parent or teacher:

Did you say there were only three dots left? That's correct! If you take two away from five, there will only be three left. The answer to your subtraction problem is written below:

5 – 2 = 3

You now know a new strategy for solving written subtraction problems! Move on to the Got It? section to play a fun subtraction game!