Age Guides
Age 6 guide to subtraction facts
Age-appropriate activities, explanations and practice ideas for subtraction facts.
Quick answer
By the end of this page, you'll know your subtraction facts up to 20, and you'll be able to solve subtraction problems quickly and easily using different methods.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to subtract numbers up to 20 using different strategies and understand what subtraction means in real life. Success signs:- You can quickly take away objects or numbers to find the answer
- You can solve subtraction problems with numbers up to 20
- You understand that subtraction means taking away or finding the difference
- You can use counting back, number lines, or objects to solve subtraction problems
Why this matters
Subtraction is a very important part of maths that you use every day. When you share your sweets with a friend, when you have £10 and buy a toy that costs £4, or when you play a game and lose points, you are using subtraction. Understanding subtraction helps you to solve problems in your daily life and prepares you for more difficult maths later on.How it works
Subtraction is about taking away or finding the difference between two numbers. When you subtract, you start with a number and take away some of it. For example, if you have 10 apples and eat 3, you are left with 7 apples. This is written as 10 - 3 = 7. There are several ways to solve subtraction problems:- Counting back from the bigger number
- Using objects or drawings
- Using a number line
- Using known addition facts to help with subtraction
Examples you can see
Let's look at some simple subtraction examples you can imagine and play with. Example 1: Counting back If you have 8 crayons and you give 2 to your friend, how many do you have left? You start at 8 and count back 2: 7, 6. So 8 - 2 = 6. Example 2: Using objects If you have 12 toy cars and 5 are broken, how many are working? You can use 12 counters or cubes. Take away 5. You have 7 left. So 12 - 5 = 7. Example 3: Number line To solve 9 - 4, you start at 9 and move back 4 spaces: 8, 7, 6, 5. So 9 - 4 = 5. Example 4: Using addition facts If you know that 7 + 3 = 10, then you also know that 10 - 3 = 7. Let's practice with a few more examples:- 15 - 5 = 10
- 18 - 9 = 9
- 13 - 6 = 7
- 20 - 8 = 12
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Treasure Hunt You are going on a treasure hunt in the garden. You start with 15 coins and find clues that tell you to subtract different amounts. Here's your adventure: 1st time: You find a clue that says "Take away 2 coins". You have 15 - 2 = 13 coins. 2nd time: You find another clue that says "Take away 4 coins". You have 13 - 4 = 9 coins. 3rd time: You find a clue that says "Take away 3 coins". You have 9 - 3 = 6 coins. 4th time: You find a clue that says "Take away 5 coins". You have 6 - 5 = 1 coin. You have 1 coin left. That's your treasure! Challenge: Can you solve this: You start with 18 coins. Take away 7 coins. Then take away 3 coins. How many coins do you have left? Answer: 18 - 7 = 11, then 11 - 3 = 8 coins.Common mistakes
- Mistake: Confusing subtraction with addition. Why it happens: Children sometimes mix up the symbols and think that 10 - 3 = 13 instead of 7. Fix: Remember that subtraction means taking away, so the answer should be smaller than the first number.
- Mistake: Counting forward instead of back when subtracting. Why it happens: When subtracting, you need to go backwards on a number line or count back. Fix: Practice counting backwards from larger numbers.
- Mistake: Not understanding that subtraction shows the difference between two numbers. Why it happens: Children may think subtraction always means taking away, not comparing. Fix: Use examples like "How many more apples does Tom have than Sarah?" to show difference.
- Mistake: Forgetting that any number minus itself equals zero. Why it happens: It's easy to forget that 5 - 5 = 0. Fix: Practice with pairs of the same number to see that they always equal zero.
Parent and carer guide
As a parent or carer, you can help your child learn subtraction facts in just 5-10 minutes a day:- Play subtraction games: Use everyday objects like toys, food, or coins to practice taking away.
- Use number lines: Draw a simple number line and practice moving backwards.
- Count backwards: Practice counting backwards from 20 to 0 together.
- Ask questions: "If you had 10 cookies and ate 3, how many would you have left?"
- Use real-life situations: Shopping, cooking, or sharing snacks all involve subtraction.
- Be patient: It's okay if your child needs time to understand. Practice regularly, but don't pressure.
- Encourage different methods: Let your child use counters, drawings, or number lines if it helps.
- Notice progress: Celebrate when your child gets faster or more confident with subtraction.
- Don't worry about mistakes: Errors are part of learning. Help your child understand what went wrong.
- Make it fun: Turn subtraction into a game or story to keep your child engaged.
Practice questions
Try these subtraction problems to see how well you understand:- 10 - 3 = ?
- 15 - 7 = ?
- 12 - 5 = ?
- 18 - 9 = ?
- 14 - 6 = ?
- 17 - 8 = ?
- 19 - 10 = ?
- 20 - 11 = ?
- 13 - 4 = ?
- 16 - 8 = ?
- 7
- 8
- 7
- 9
- 8
- 9
- 9
- 9
- 9
- 8
FAQ
What is subtraction?
Subtraction is the process of taking away one number from another. It helps us find out how much is left after something is taken away.
Why do we need to learn subtraction facts?
Subtraction facts help us solve problems quickly and easily. They're useful in everyday life, like when we share food or pay for things.
How can I practice subtraction at home?
You can practice by playing games with coins, using toys to take away, counting backwards, or solving problems from everyday situations like sharing snacks or shopping.
What are some strategies for solving subtraction problems?
You can count back, use objects or drawings, use a number line, or think of addition facts that help you solve subtraction problems.
How can I help my child if they're struggling with subtraction?
Use real-life examples, practice counting backwards, use visual aids like counters or number lines, and be patient. Celebrate small successes to build confidence.