OBAN ORACLE

Maths Matters

with Mrs Trend

Let’s Talk About Subtraction!

Subtraction is a key part of your child’s maths learning journey. It helps children understand how to find the difference between numbers, work out how much is left, and solve everyday problems like giving change or working out how many more are needed.

 

So what is Subtraction?

Subtraction is the process of taking one number away from another or finding the difference between two numbers. For example, 8 – 3 = 5. 

 

How You Can Help at Home?

There are so many simple ways to practise subtraction in your daily routines. Here are a few ideas:

  • Quick Fact Call-Outs: “What’s 9 – 4?”, “What’s 12 – 7?”
  • Countdown Games: Start at a number and take turns subtracting by 1, 2, or 5 until you reach zero.
  • Snack Maths: “You have 10 grapes and eat 3 — how many left?”
  • Dice or Card Games: Roll two dice and subtract the smaller number from the bigger one.

Activities by Year Level:

Foundation:

  • Practise taking away objects like pegs or toys from a group and counting what’s left.
  • Use fingers to show subtraction facts within 10.
  • Read picture books that include subtraction stories (e.g. “Five Little Monkeys”).

 

Year 1–2:

  • Use number lines to count back to subtract.
  • Practise subtraction facts to 20.
  • Play games like Subtraction Snap (the first to call out the difference wins!)

 

Year 3–4:

  • Use mental strategies like counting on (e.g. to solve 51 – 48, count on from 48 to 51).
  • Practise subtracting two- and three-digit numbers using vertical algorithms.
  • Solve word problems like “I had 326 points and lost 178 — how many left?”

 

Year 5–6:

  • Subtract larger numbers and decimals (e.g. 7.25 – 3.6).
  • Estimate differences by rounding numbers first.
  • Create real-world problems: “You have $120 and spend $48.75, how much change do you get?”

 

Quick Call-Back Ideas

In the car or during dinner:

  • “What’s 20 minus 8?”
  • “If you had $50 and spent $27, how much left?”
  • “What’s the difference between 65 and 90?”These quick-fire questions help build fluency and mental maths skills.

 

Thank you for your continued support in developing your child’s numeracy skills at home. Together, we’re building confident, capable mathematicians!

 

— Mrs Trend & The Numeracy Team ➖✨