Write subtraction sentences to describe pictures – up to 18

Key notes :

🔢 What is Subtraction?

Subtraction means taking away some objects from a group.

Example: 🍎🍎🍎🍎 – 2🍎 = 2🍎 left

🖼️ Look at the Picture Carefully

Count all the objects first.

Notice how many are taken away or missing.

➖ Writing the Subtraction Sentence

Subtraction sentences are written like this:
Total – Taken away = Left

Example: 5 – 2 = 3

🍪 Example with Objects

Picture shows 7 cookies, 3 are eaten.

Subtraction sentence: 7 – 3 = 4 🍪

🎨 Use Real-Life Pictures

Toys, fruits, pencils, or animals can be used in pictures.

Example: 10 pencils – 6 pencils = 4 pencils ✏️

🔍 Check Your Counting

Always count twice to make sure your subtraction is correct.

💡 Tip for Word Problems

If the picture shows how many left, start with the total and subtract the taken away.

Example: 12 balloons, 5 fly away → 12 – 5 = 7 🎈

📏 Practice Up to 18

All subtraction sentences in this topic are numbers from 1 to 18.

Example: 15 – 7 = 8, 18 – 9 = 9

📝 Steps to Solve

Count all objects in the picture ✅

Count the objects taken away ❌

Subtract taken away from total ➖

Write the subtraction sentence ✏️

🎉 Fun Practice

Draw your own pictures and make subtraction sentences.

Use stickers, emojis, or small objects to help you.

Learn with an example

Which subtraction number sentence does the picture show?

  • 10-3 =7
  • 11-9 =2
  • 10-2 =8
  • 11-3 =8

First, count all the scooters, even the ones that are crossed out. Count each full row as 10. There are 11 scooters.

Now count how many scooters are crossed out. 2 scooters are crossed out.

The first part of the subtraction number sentence is 11 − 2. To find the difference, count the scooters that are not crossed out. 9 scooters are not crossed out. This picture shows the subtraction number sentence 11 − 2 = 9.

Which subtraction number sentence does the picture show?

  • 14-9 =5
  • 16-8 =8
  • 15-9 =6
  • 15-8 =7

First, count all the aliens, even the ones that are crossed out. Count each full row as 10. There are 15 aliens.

Now count how many aliens are crossed out. 9 aliens are crossed out.

The first part of the subtraction number sentence is 15 − 9. To find the difference, count the aliens that are not crossed out. 6 aliens are not crossed out. This picture shows the subtraction number sentence 15 − 9 = 6.

Which subtraction number sentence does the picture show?

  • 12 − 5 = 7
  • 12 − 6 = 6
  • 13 − 4 = 9
  • 13 − 6 = 7
  • First, count all the spaceships, even the ones that are crossed out. Count each full row as 10. There are 12 spaceships.
  • Now count how many spaceships are crossed out. 5 spaceships are crossed out.
  • The first part of the subtraction number sentence is 12 − 5. To find the difference, count the spaceships that are not crossed out. 7 spaceships are not crossed out. This picture shows the subtraction number sentence 12 − 5 = 7.

Let’s practice!🖊️