Review – writing subtraction sentences – up to 10

key notes :

Subtraction is taking away part of a number.

Each part of a subtraction equation has a special name, or term. Make sure you know the terms above. 👆

  • This is the minus sign: −
  • This is the equals sign: =

Now, let’s learn how to write subtraction equations from pictures! 🤗

Writing Subtraction Equations

Let’s write a subtraction equation for this picture together.

A subtraction equation has 3 parts: the minuend, subtrahend, and difference.

The minuend is the big number we’re taking away from.

How many fruits do we have at the start? 🤔

That’s right! 😃 We have 6 fruits.

So, the minuend is 6. Let’s write that down.

Now, let’s find the subtrahend.

The subtrahend is the number that is ‘taken away.

How many fruits were taken away in the picture?

Correct! 😎 

2 were taken away. This is the subtrahend.

Write 2 down and put a minus (-) sign between the numbers.

Now, we need to find the difference.

The difference is the number that’s left. It’s the answer.

How many fruits are left?

You got it! 

4 fruits are left. This is the difference. 🤗

Put an equal (=) sign after the subtrahend and write the difference.

so, the subtraction equation is

6-2=4

Learn with an example

9 less 5 is 4.

Write this as a subtraction number sentence (using − and =).

Change the words to signs. The words “less” tell you to subtract. Use “−” to show when to subtract. The word “is” tells you the difference. Use “=” to show the difference.

9 less 5 is 4.
9 − 5 = 4

The subtraction number sentence is 9 − 5 = 4.

Which subtraction number sentence does the picture show?

  • First, count all the turkeys, even the ones that are crossed out. There are 4 turkeys.
  • Now count how many turkeys are crossed out. 1 turkey is crossed out.
  • The first part of the subtraction number sentence is 4 − 1. To find the difference, count the turkeys that are not crossed out. 3 turkeys are not crossed out. This picture shows the subtraction number sentence 4 − 1 = 3.

Which subtraction number sentence does the picture show?

  • 10 − 3 = 7
  • 9 − 4 = 5
  • 8 − 4 = 4
  • 9 − 5 = 4

First, count all the pigs, even the ones that are crossed out. There are 9 pigs.

Now count how many pigs are crossed out. 4 pigs are crossed out.

The first part of the subtraction number sentence is 9 − 4

. To find the difference, count the pigs that are not crossed out. 5 pigs are not crossed out. This picture shows the subtraction number sentence 9 − 4 = 5.

Let’s practice!🖊️