Solve the Subtraction Equation: Finding the Missing Number in 6-?=6

Q: Why isn't the answer 6 since 6 appears on both sides?

Great question! The equation asks what number, when subtracted from 6, gives us 6. If we subtract 6 from 6, we get $ 6 - 6 = 0 $, not 6!

Q: How do I remember when to use zero in subtraction?

Think of it this way: "What can I take away from something to leave it unchanged?" The answer is always nothing, which means zero!

Q: Is this the same as addition problems like ? + 6 = 6?

Yes! Both use the zero identity property. In addition, $ 0 + 6 = 6 $. In subtraction, $ 6 - 0 = 6 $. Zero is the special number that doesn't change other numbers.

Q: What if I got confused and picked 1 or 4?

Let's check: $ 6 - 1 = 5 $ (not 6) and $ 6 - 4 = 2 $ (not 6). Always substitute your answer back to see if it works!

Q: Are there other equations where zero is the answer?

Absolutely! Any equation like $ a - ? = a $ has zero as the answer. Try $ 10 - ? = 10 $ or $ 25 - ? = 25 $ - they all equal zero!

Subtraction Properties with Zero Identity

$6-?=6$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Find the unknown

00:04 Every number minus 0 equals the number itself

00:10 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

$6-?=6$

Step-by-step solution

To solve the equation $6 - ? = 6$ , we begin by understanding that we need a number which, when subtracted from $6$ , produces no change.

Recall the property that any number minus zero results in the original number:

$a - 0 = a$

In this problem, if $a = 6$ , then:

$6 - 0 = 6$

Therefore, the missing number must be $0$ to maintain equality.

Checking the provided options, the correct answer is choice $'0'$ .

Thus, the solution to the problem is $\boxed{0}$ .

Final Answer

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Zero Identity Rule: Any number minus zero equals the original number
Method: Find what makes $6 - ? = 6$ true by testing
Verification: Substitute back: $6 - 0 = 6$ confirms our answer ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Assuming the missing number equals the result
Don't think the answer is 6 just because 6 appears on both sides = wrong logic! This ignores how subtraction works. Always use the zero identity property: subtracting zero from any number leaves it unchanged.

Practice Quiz

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$1\times1000=$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why isn't the answer 6 since 6 appears on both sides?

Great question! The equation asks what number, when subtracted from 6, gives us 6. If we subtract 6 from 6, we get $6 - 6 = 0$ , not 6!

How do I remember when to use zero in subtraction?

Think of it this way: "What can I take away from something to leave it unchanged?" The answer is always nothing, which means zero!

Is this the same as addition problems like ? + 6 = 6?

Yes! Both use the zero identity property. In addition, $0 + 6 = 6$ . In subtraction, $6 - 0 = 6$ . Zero is the special number that doesn't change other numbers.

What if I got confused and picked 1 or 4?

Let's check: $6 - 1 = 5$ (not 6) and $6 - 4 = 2$ (not 6). Always substitute your answer back to see if it works!

Are there other equations where zero is the answer?

Absolutely! Any equation like $a - ? = a$ has zero as the answer. Try $10 - ? = 10$ or $25 - ? = 25$ - they all equal zero!

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