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Maths Adventures

Dinosaur maths quest: subtraction

A story-led junior maths adventure using fossils, footprints and giant timelines to work out what is left after trades, rescues or escapes.

Quick answer

Subtraction is taking away or finding what is left. In a Dinosaur maths quest, you might start with 12 dinosaur footprints and find 5 have been erased by a storm, leaving 7 footprints to follow.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to subtract numbers using objects, pictures, and real-life situations to find what is left. Success signs:
  • You can count backwards to solve subtraction problems
  • You can use pictures or objects to show subtraction
  • You can solve subtraction problems with numbers up to 20
  • You can explain how subtraction helps in a Dinosaur quest

Why this matters

Subtraction is like being a detective in a Dinosaur maths quest. When you find a fossil, you might wonder how many dinosaurs were there before. When a dinosaur runs away, you might want to know how many are left. Subtraction helps you solve these puzzles. It's used in everyday life too, like when you share cookies or count how many toys you have after giving some away.

How it works

Subtraction means taking something away or finding the difference. It's the opposite of addition. When you have 10 rocks and take away 3, you have 7 left. We write this as 10 - 3 = 7. The minus sign (-) shows you are subtracting. The equals sign (=) shows the answer. Think of subtraction like this:
  1. Start with a number (the big number)
  2. Take away some (the smaller number)
  3. Count what is left

Examples you can see

Let's imagine a Dinosaur maths quest with some examples: Example 1: Fossil Find You find 8 dinosaur bones. 3 bones are broken. How many bones are whole? We start with 8 bones, take away 3 broken bones. 8 - 3 = 5 bones are whole. Example 2: Footprint Puzzle A big dinosaur left 12 footprints in the sand. A storm erased 5 footprints. How many footprints are left? We start with 12 footprints, take away 5 erased footprints. 12 - 5 = 7 footprints left. Example 3: Rescue Mission A baby dinosaur was lost in the forest. 15 dinosaurs were looking for it. 7 found it. How many are still looking? We start with 15 dinosaurs, take away 7 that found it. 15 - 7 = 8 dinosaurs still looking.

Try it as a mini adventure

Dinosaur Footprint Rescue Mission You are a Dinosaur detective. Your mission is to find the lost dinosaur footprints. 1st time: You start with 10 footprints in the sand. 2nd time: A gust of wind erases 3 footprints. 3rd time: You find 2 more footprints. 4th time: A baby dinosaur steps on 1 footprint. 5th time: How many footprints are left? Let's solve this together: 1st time: 10 footprints 2nd time: 10 - 3 = 7 footprints 3rd time: 7 + 2 = 9 footprints 4th time: 9 - 1 = 8 footprints 5th time: 8 footprints are left This is a subtraction and addition adventure! You used subtraction to find what was taken away and addition to find what was added.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 9 - 4 = 5, but counting forwards instead of backwards. Why: Children sometimes count forward when they should count backwards. Fix: Use fingers or objects to count backwards from 9 to find 5.
  • Mistake: Mixing up the order, like 4 - 9 = 5. Why: The bigger number should come first. Fix: Remember: start with the bigger number, take away the smaller number.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to write the minus sign (-). Why: It's easy to forget symbols. Fix: Always check that your problem has a minus sign.
  • Mistake: Not understanding what "left" means. Why: The word "left" can confuse children. Fix: Use objects or drawings to show what is taken away and what is left.

Parent and carer guide

To help your child with subtraction in a Dinosaur quest:
  1. Use real objects like blocks or toys to show subtraction.
  2. Play subtraction games using dinosaur toys or pictures.
  3. Ask questions like "If you had 10 dinosaur stickers and gave 3 away, how many would you have?"
  4. Encourage your child to draw pictures to solve problems.
  5. Remember that mistakes are learning opportunities - celebrate them!
This is a great time to practice subtraction. Try these everyday examples:
  • How many slices of pizza are left after eating 3 of 8?
  • If you had 12 dinosaur books and read 5, how many are left?
  • How many dinosaurs are still sleeping if 7 of 10 wake up?
Keep it fun and keep it short - 5-10 minutes of practice is perfect for young learners.

Practice questions

  1. There were 15 dinosaur eggs. 6 hatched. How many eggs are left?
  2. 12 dinosaur footprints were found. 4 were erased. How many are left?
  3. 18 dinosaur toys were in the box. 9 were given away. How many are left?
  4. 14 dinosaur bones were found. 7 were broken. How many are whole?
  5. 10 dinosaur fossils were discovered. 3 were damaged. How many are good?
Answers:
  1. 15 - 6 = 9 eggs left
  2. 12 - 4 = 8 footprints left
  3. 18 - 9 = 9 toys left
  4. 14 - 7 = 7 bones are whole
  5. 10 - 3 = 7 fossils are good

FAQ

What is subtraction?

Subtraction is taking away or finding what is left. It's the opposite of addition.

How do I know when to subtract?

You subtract when something is taken away, lost, or given away. Look for words like "left," "erased," "gave away," or "lost."

Can I use subtraction with big numbers?

Yes! Subtraction works with any numbers. You can subtract 100 from 150 or even 1000 from 10000.

What if I get confused with subtraction?

Use objects, drawings, or counting backwards. It's okay to take your time and check your work.

How can I practice subtraction at home?

Play games with toys, count items and take some away, or solve puzzles with dinosaur pictures. Every day is a chance to practice!