Subtraction is taking one number away from another to find the difference between them.
We start with 145 and take away 32, leaving us with 113.
Think of subtraction as "how many are left" or "how much more one number is than another."
When subtracting numbers where each digit in the top number is larger than the digit below it, we subtract directly without regrouping.
Start from the right: 8 - 3 = 5, 7 - 5 = 2, 4 - 2 = 2
Always subtract from right to left, starting with the ones place.
When a digit in the top number is smaller than the digit below it, we need to regroup (borrow) from the next place value.
Step-by-step: 3 - 7 (can't do), borrow from 2 tens → 13 - 7 = 6, 1 - 8 (can't do), borrow from 5 hundreds → 11 - 8 = 3, 4 - 1 = 3
When you borrow, remember to reduce the number you borrowed from by 1.
Word problems describe real-life situations where you need to subtract to find the answer. Look for key words that tell you to subtract.
Sarah has 315 stickers. She gives 128 stickers to her friend. How many stickers does Sarah have left?
Sarah has 187 stickers left.
Look for words like "left," "remain," "difference," "take away," or "how many more" to know when to subtract.
Subtraction word problems can appear in many different real-world situations. Practice identifying what needs to be subtracted.
Comparing amounts: The library has 427 books. 139 books are checked out. How many books are still in the library?
Finding how much more: Jake has 205 baseball cards. His brother has 168. How many more cards does Jake have?
Read each problem carefully to understand what is being asked before you start subtracting.
You can check your subtraction answer by adding it to the number you subtracted.
If 423 - 158 = 265, then 265 + 158 should equal 423.
Since 265 + 158 = 423, our subtraction was correct!
Always check your work. Addition and subtraction are inverse operations - they undo each other.