What You Need to Know

Subtraction number stories describe taking away, finding the difference, or finding how many are left. Key words help us identify when to subtract.

Subtraction stories describe taking away from a group

Key words: left, remaining, how many more, difference, fewer, take away

We write a number sentence: 9 - 3 = 6

Always check: after taking away, does the answer make sense?

Key Vocabulary

To take away from a number or group

The result when we subtract one number from another

What is left after taking something away

To remove from a group — the action of subtracting

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

There are 9 apples. 4 are eaten. How many are left?

13 4 5 1

Question 2

There are 15 students. 6 go home. How many students remain?

21 6 10 9

Question 3

Which number sentence matches: "8 birds were on a fence. 3 flew away"?

8 - 3 = 5 8 × 3 = 24 8 + 3 = 11 3 + 8 = 11

Question 4

Tom has 12 stickers. He gives away 5. How many does he have left?

17 7 5 6

Question 5

Which word in a number story tells us to SUBTRACT?

Altogether In total Fewer Sum