Subtraction Facts

Subtraction facts are all subtraction problems that correspond to addition facts.
For example, 7 – 5 [corresponds to 5 + 2], 15 – 7 to [7 + 8], and 8 – 0 to (0 + 8).
Reminder: [8 – 3 = 5] In this case, the 8 is the minuend, 3 is the subtrahend, and 5 is the difference.

Facts with Minuends of Ten or Less

Here are a number of methods to solve subtraction facts with minuends of ten or less.
Method 1: One basic way to solve problems is to picture it as an addition problem. This is called “think addition”. Find what number added to the subtrahend would give you the minuend.
Example: 9 – 6
9 is equal to 6 plus what?
6 + 3 = 9, so 9 – 6 = 3

Practice this method with these problems.
Practice 1:
8 – 5
5 + (3) = 8
8 – 5 = (3)

Practice 2:
10 – 7
(7) + (3) = 10
10 – 7 = (3)

Method 2: Sometimes, it is easier to subtract the subtrahend in parts. Split it up into whatever numbers seem easy and subtract them one at a time from the minuend.
Example: 9 – 6 = 9 – [3 + 3] = 9 – 3 – 3 = 6 – 3 = 3
OR 9 – 6 = 9 – [2 + 4] = 9 – 2 – 4 = 7 – 4 = 3
So, 9 – 6 = 3

Practice using above method.
Practice 1:
10 – 8
10 – [4 + (4)]
10 – 4 – (4) = (2)

Practice 2:
9 – 7
9 – [4 + (3)]
9 – (4) – (3) = (2)

Solve Mentally, using any method.
1. 6 – 5
2. 8 – 6
3. 9 – 7
4. 10 – 7
5. 7 – 4
6. 10 – 9

Facts with Minuends From 11 to 18

Method 1: One basic way to solve problems is to use “think addition” again. Find what number added to the subtrahend would give you the minuend.
Example: 12 – 8; 8 plus what number would equal 12?
8 + ? = 12
8 + 4 = 12, so 12 – 8 = 4

Practice 1:
15 - 7
7 + (8) = 15
15 – 7 = (8)

Practice 2:
13 – 4
(4) + (9) = 13
13 – 4 = (9)

Method 2: Split the subtrahend into two parts; one that you can subtract from the minuend to get 10, and the rest you can easily subtract from 10.
Example: 12 – 5
12 – 2 = 10
5 = 2 + 3 so 3 is still left to be subtracted.
10 – 3 = 7, so 12 – 5 = 7

Practice 1:
16 – 8
16 – (6) = 10
8 = (6) + (2)
10 – (2) = (8)
16 – 8 = (8)

Practice 2:
14 – 7
14 – (4) = (10)
7 = (4) + (3)
(10) – (3) = (7)
14 – 7 = (7)

Solve Mentally:
1. 11 – 3 = (8)
2. 16 – 7 = (9)
3. 14 – 6 = (8)
4. 13 - 5 = (8)
5. 12 – 8 = (4)
6. 15 – 9 = (6)

Subtraction Table*

*0 is not included because any number minus 0 is itself.
This table will help you find and memorize differences for subtraction facts. To use this table find the minuend in the table under the column of the subtrahend, which is on the top line. Find the difference by checking which row your minuend is in. The last box on the left of the minuend’s row is the difference.