Grade K · Operations & Algebraic Thinking
Subtraction Means Taking Away
Model subtraction by starting with a whole and removing part of it.
Start with the whole
Subtraction begins with a starting quantity. Remove some objects, then count what remains.
Connect the action to an equation
If six objects are present and two are removed, four remain. We write 6 − 2 = 4.
Key terms
Words to know
- Subtract
- Take away part of a quantity or find a difference.
- Minus sign
- The symbol − that tells us a quantity is being subtracted.
- Difference
- The result of a subtraction.
- Remaining
- What is left after part is removed.
Interactive math lab · 🍌 bananas
Change it. See it. Understand it.
Choose how many bananas you start with and how many to take away.
| Start | 7 |
|---|---|
| Take away | 3 |
| Remaining | 4 |
Worked examples
See the idea in action.
Start with six, remove two, and four remain.
Subtracting one moves back one number.
Guided practice
Work through 20 questions, one step at a time.
Choose an answer, check your reasoning, then move forward. Your score updates as you go.
What is 8 − 5?
Curriculum reference
Built as a continuous K–12 progression.
The sequence follows widely used K–12 mathematics progressions and references the Common Core mathematics framework. Explanations, examples, interactive models, and practice questions are original FreeLearnHub material.