Subtraction Practice Problems: Visual Methods & Exercises

Master subtraction with step-by-step visual examples, vertical subtraction methods, and interactive practice problems. Learn basic subtraction facts and multi-digit techniques.

📚Practice Subtraction Skills with Interactive Problems
  • Solve basic subtraction problems using visual counting methods with objects
  • Master vertical subtraction technique for single and multi-digit numbers
  • Apply subtraction skills to real-world word problems and scenarios
  • Practice subtracting by counting backwards and using number lines
  • Learn to break down two-digit subtraction using tens and ones
  • Build confidence with step-by-step subtraction problem solving strategies

Understanding Subtraction

Complete explanation with examples

Subtraction

A subtraction exercise is an exercise where we take away something from a certain amount.
When we see the sign - we are shown that it's a subtraction exercise where we need to subtract something from a certain amount.

Let's look at an example –

Diana has 77 orange balls

Orange dots arranged in a 3x3 grid representing subtraction in math concepts for visual learning.

Eric took 33 balls from Diana.

Three orange dots in a horizontal line used to visually represent subtraction in math education.

How many balls does Diana have left?

Let's look again at Diana's balls
We know that Eric took 33 balls from her, so let's put aside the three balls that Eric took and count how many Diana has left.

Math subtraction example using orange dots above the names Diana and Eric to visually represent quantities. Ideal for educational content.

Diana has 44 balls left, therefore we obtain the following result:
73=47-3=4

Detailed explanation

Practice Subtraction

Test your knowledge with 23 quizzes

\( 66-60= \)

Examples with solutions for Subtraction

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

If we have 85 blocks in total, how many blocks will remain if we remove 4 tens and 1 one?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we begin by calculating the total number of blocks to remove.

Step 1: Calculate the blocks in 4 tens.

  • A "ten" refers to 10 blocks. Thus, 4 tens equal 4×10=40 4 \times 10 = 40 blocks.

Step 2: Calculate the total blocks to remove by combining tens and ones.

  • We are also removing 1 more block, so the total becomes 40+1=41 40 + 1 = 41 blocks.

Step 3: Subtract the total removed blocks from the initial total to determine how many blocks remain.

  • 8541=44 85 - 41 = 44 .

Therefore, the number of blocks remaining is 44 44 .

Answer:

44 44

Exercise #2

What number do you get if you subtract thirty units from the number 85?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll perform basic subtraction.

  • Step 1: Identify the minuend and subtrahend.

  • The minuend (the number from which we are subtracting) is 85.

  • The subtrahend (the number to be subtracted) is 30.

  • Step 2: Apply the subtraction formula 8530 85 - 30 .

  • Step 3: Calculate the difference.

  • Subtract 30 from 85 as follows:
    8530=55 85 - 30 = 55

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 55 55 .

Answer:

55 55

Exercise #3

What number do you get if you subtract sixty units from the number 92?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given information, which is the number 92 and the amount to subtract, 60.
  • Step 2: Perform the subtraction operation: 9260 92 - 60 .

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: We know we need to subtract 60 from 92. This can be expressed mathematically as 9260 92 - 60 .

Step 2: Perform the subtraction:

9260=32 92 - 60 = 32

We find that subtracting 60 from 92 yields 32.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 32 32 .

Answer:

32 32

Exercise #4

If we have 46 blocks in total and we remove 2 tens, how many blocks will remain?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll proceed through the following steps:

  • Step 1: Identify how many blocks are represented by "2 tens".
  • Step 2: Subtract the number of removed blocks from the total number of blocks given.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: "2 tens" equates to 2×10=20 2 \times 10 = 20 blocks.
Step 2: We are removing 20 blocks from the total of 46 blocks. Using subtraction, we have:

4620=26 46 - 20 = 26

Therefore, after removing 2 tens (which is 20 blocks), the number of blocks that remain is 26 26 .

Answer:

26 26

Exercise #5

Subtract three units from the number 73. What is the result?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this simple subtraction problem, let's follow the steps:
Step 1: Identify the numbers involved, which are 7373 and 33.
Step 2: Apply the operation of subtraction to these numbers. The problem asks us to subtract 33 from 7373, resulting in the mathematical operation 73373 - 3.
Step 3: Calculate the result of the subtraction: 733=7073 - 3 = 70.

Therefore, the result of subtracting three units from the number 73 is 7070.

Answer:

70 70

Frequently Asked Questions

What is subtraction and how do I recognize subtraction problems?

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Subtraction is taking away a certain amount from a starting number. You can recognize subtraction problems by the minus sign (-) which shows you need to subtract or take away something from the original amount.

How do I solve basic subtraction problems step by step?

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Start with the larger number and count backwards by the amount you're subtracting. For example, with 7-3, start at 7 and count back 3 numbers: 6, 5, 4. You can also use visual objects like balls or dots to physically remove the amount being subtracted.

What is vertical subtraction and when should I use it?

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Vertical subtraction involves writing numbers in columns with ones under ones and tens under tens. This method is helpful for larger numbers like 46-24, where you subtract each column separately starting from the right.

How do I subtract two-digit numbers without drawing pictures?

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Break the numbers into tens and ones. For 65-32: subtract tens (60-30=30) and ones (5-2=3) separately, then add the results (30+3=33). This makes larger subtraction problems much easier to solve.

What are some common mistakes students make in subtraction?

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Common mistakes include: 1) Subtracting the smaller digit from the larger digit regardless of position, 2) Forgetting to borrow in vertical subtraction, 3) Mixing up the order of numbers, 4) Not aligning digits properly in vertical format.

How can I check if my subtraction answer is correct?

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Add your answer to the number you subtracted. If you get the original starting number, your subtraction is correct. For example, if 17-4=13, then 13+4 should equal 17.

When do I need to use borrowing in subtraction problems?

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You need borrowing when the digit in the ones place of the number you're subtracting from is smaller than the digit you're subtracting. For example, in 52-27, you can't subtract 7 from 2, so you need to borrow from the tens place.

What real-world situations use subtraction skills?

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Subtraction is used in many daily situations: calculating change when shopping, determining how many items are left after some are used, finding the difference in scores or measurements, and figuring out remaining time or distance.

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