Take 4 away from 9
Draw 9 dots, cross out 4, and count the 5 uncrossed dots.
Answer: 9 − 4 = 5 Five objects remain after four are removed.
Subtraction · Grades 1–3
Teaching Subtraction with Pictures and Number Lines
Subtraction can mean taking away or finding the distance between numbers. Pictures and number lines make both meanings visible.
What children need to know first
- The difference tells how far apart two numbers are.
- A number line has evenly spaced numbers, so each jump represents the same amount.
Step-by-step explanation
- For take-away, draw or gather the starting amount.
- Remove the amount being subtracted and count what remains.
- For distance, start at the smaller number and count forward to the larger number.
- Write a subtraction sentence that matches the picture.
Worked examples
Find the distance from 7 to 12
Jump 7 → 10 (+3), then 10 → 12 (+2). Add 3 + 2.
Answer: 12 − 7 = 5 The distance between 7 and 12 is five steps.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Counting the starting mark as a jump. Count spaces between numbers, not the number labels.
- Making uneven jumps without recording their sizes. Label each jump and add the amounts.
Parent teaching tips
- Use a floor number line and let the child step backward or forward.
- Ask whether the story shows something being removed or two amounts being compared.
Independent practice
- Draw 10 dots and cross out 3.
- Count forward from 8 to 15. What is 15 − 8?
Practice answers
- 7 remain
- 7
Explore related skills
Practice this skill
Open the matching Grades 1–3 activity for Subtraction. You can print its worksheet with questions only or an answer key.
Start Subtraction practice · View the grade-level topic page