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Maths Adventures

Fairground maths quest: subtraction

A story-led junior maths adventure using rides, tickets and chance games to work out what is left after trades, rescues or escapes.

Quick answer

Subtraction is about finding out how much is left when you take something away. In a fairground, you might start with 10 tickets and spend 3 on a ride, so you have 7 tickets left.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to solve fairground subtraction problems by taking away objects, numbers, or tickets and finding how much is left. Success signs:
  • You can count backwards to solve subtraction problems
  • You can use pictures or objects to show subtraction
  • You can solve problems like "I had 8 balloons, I gave 3 away, how many are left?"
  • You can use subtraction to work out how many tickets are left after spending some

Why this matters

Subtraction is like a superhero power that helps you figure out what's left. In a fairground, you might have 15 tickets, but you spend 5 on a game. Subtraction helps you know you have 10 tickets left. This skill helps you:
  • Share your snacks with friends
  • Count how many toys you still have after giving some away
  • Work out how much money you have left after buying something
  • Plan how many rides you can go on with your tickets

How it works

Subtraction is like taking something away. It uses the minus sign (-) and the equals sign (=).
  1. Start with a number (the big number)
  2. Take away a smaller number (the number you're taking away)
  3. Find out how much is left

Examples you can see

Here are some fairground examples:
  • You have 12 tickets. You spend 4 on a rollercoaster. How many tickets do you have left? 12 - 4 = 8
  • There are 9 children on the carousel. 3 children get off. How many are left? 9 - 3 = 6
  • You win 7 prizes at the ring toss game. You give 2 to your friend. How many prizes do you keep? 7 - 2 = 5

Try it as a mini adventure

The Fairground Escape Quest You are on a funfair adventure! You start with 10 tickets. Here's your mission:
  1. First time: You spend 3 tickets on a game. How many tickets do you have now? 10 - 3 = ?
  2. Second time: You find 2 more tickets on the ground. How many do you have now? ? + 2 = ?
  3. Third time: You spend 1 ticket on a candy floss. How many tickets are left? ? - 1 = ?
  4. Fourth time: You win 5 more prizes. How many prizes do you have now? ? + 5 = ?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 8 - 3 = 5, but confusing it with addition.
    Why it happens: Mixing up the signs or getting confused between adding and taking away.
    Fix: Use your fingers or draw pictures to help you count backwards.
  • Mistake: Starting with 10 tickets and spending 12.
    Why it happens: Not checking if the number you're taking away is bigger than the first number.
    Fix: Remember you can't have negative tickets. Make sure the number you take away is smaller than the number you start with.
  • Mistake: Counting backwards from 10 but stopping at 7 instead of 6.
    Why it happens: Miscounting when taking away.
    Fix: Use objects like counters or your fingers to help you count backwards carefully.

Parent and carer guide

You can help your child by:
  • Playing fairground subtraction games at home with toys or snacks
  • Using real-life situations like sharing cookies or counting toys
  • Encouraging your child to draw pictures to show subtraction
  • Practicing counting backwards together
  • Not worrying if they make mistakes – that's how they learn!
Try this at home: Give your child 10 counters or small toys. Ask them to take away 3 and count how many are left. Repeat with different numbers.

Practice questions

  1. You have 12 balloons. You give 5 away. How many are left? Answer: 7
  2. You start with 15 tickets. You spend 6 on a ride. How many tickets do you have left? Answer: 9
  3. There are 8 children on the swings. 2 children get off. How many are left? Answer: 6
  4. You win 10 prizes. You give 4 to your friend. How many prizes do you keep? Answer: 6
  5. You have 14 tickets. You spend 9 on a game. How many tickets are left? Answer: 5

FAQ

What is subtraction?

Subtraction is when you take something away from a number. It helps you find out how much is left.

Why do we need subtraction?

Subtraction helps us in daily life, like when we share food, buy things, or count how many toys we have left.

Can I use subtraction with big numbers?

Yes! You can subtract big numbers too. For example, 25 - 10 = 15.

How can I practice subtraction?

You can practice by using counters, drawing pictures, or solving real-life problems like "I had 10 sweets, I ate 3, how many are left?"

What happens if I subtract a bigger number from a smaller one?

If you subtract a bigger number from a smaller one, you get a negative number, but for now, we'll focus on numbers where you take away a smaller number from a bigger one.