Rules for subtraction using a number line. Everything you need to remember!

So what words mean subtract (take away) Which will appear in the box? altogether take away share decrease fewer than total difference reduce less than add take away decrease difference fewer than reduce less than

53 – 25 is not the same as 25 – 53!! Leave your take away calculations in the same order! Take the small number from the BIG number Never swap your numbers around!

Remember that subtract also means find the difference. So look at the number we are taking away and start there… 53 – 25 = Lets do a subtraction like an addition! 25 Let’s make a jump that we know

Now all we need to do is count how far we jumped! 53 – 25 = Lets do a subtraction like an addition! = = 8

Set your workings out in stages! Stage 153 – 25 = Stage 2Start at 25 Stage 3 Count on in jumps that we know…try a small one first Stage 4Then jump in tens until your tens are the same, then single units if you like!

Remember these rules and you’ll never go wrong again!