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Maths Adventures

Museum maths quest: subtraction

A story-led junior maths adventure using artefacts, clues and history puzzles to work out what is left after trades, rescues or escapes.

Quick answer

Subtraction is taking away or finding what is left. You can use subtraction to work out how many things are left after something is taken away, or how much more one thing has than another.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to solve subtraction problems using objects, drawings, and real-life examples. Success signs:
  • You can take away objects and count how many are left
  • You can use a number line to count backwards
  • You can solve word problems about taking things away
  • You can find the difference between two numbers

Why this matters

Subtraction is used every day! When you eat some cookies, you subtract how many you ate from how many you had. When you play a game and lose points, you subtract them from your score. In the museum, you might need to work out how many artefacts are left after some were moved or borrowed. Understanding subtraction helps you solve puzzles, play games, and make sense of the world around you.

How it works

Subtraction is about taking things away. You start with a number (the bigger one), take away some (the smaller one), and find what is left. Let's think of it like this:
  1. Start with a group of things
  2. Take some things away
  3. Count what is left
You can also think of subtraction as "how many more" or "how much difference". For example, if you have 8 apples and your friend has 5 apples, you can subtract to find out that you have 3 more apples than your friend.

Examples you can see

Let's look at some real examples of subtraction. Example 1: Taking away objects You have 7 toy cars. You give 3 to your friend. How many do you have left?
  • Start with 7 cars
  • Take away 3 cars
  • Count what is left: 4 cars
Example 2: Using a number line You have 10 stickers. You use 4. What number do you land on?
  • Start at 10
  • Count back 4: 9, 8, 7, 6
  • You land on 6
Example 3: Finding the difference There are 12 birds in a tree. 5 fly away. How many are left?
  • Start with 12 birds
  • Take away 5 birds
  • Count what is left: 7 birds

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Museum Maths Quest You are a detective at the Museum of Ancient Treasures. You have found a secret clue that says: "In the vault, there were 15 golden coins. 7 were stolen. How many are left?" Let's solve this together step by step:
  1. Start with 15 coins
  2. Take away 7 coins (because they were stolen)
  3. Count what is left: 8 coins
Now, you find another clue: "The treasure chest had 20 gems. 9 were hidden. How many are still visible?"
  1. Start with 20 gems
  2. Take away 9 gems (because they were hidden)
  3. Count what is left: 11 gems
Your final clue says: "The museum had 25 paintings. 13 were moved to the new gallery. How many are still in the old gallery?"
  1. Start with 25 paintings
  2. Take away 13 paintings (because they were moved)
  3. Count what is left: 12 paintings
Challenge: Can you find 3 more subtraction clues in your house or garden? Write them down and solve them!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Confusing subtraction with addition. For example, thinking 10 - 3 = 13 instead of 7.
    Why it happens: Mixing up the symbols and operations.
    Fix: Remember subtraction means "take away" or "find what is left". Use your fingers or objects to check your answer.
  • Mistake: Starting from the wrong number.
    Why it happens: Reading the problem too quickly or not understanding the question.
    Fix: Read the problem carefully. Ask yourself: "What number do I start with? What am I taking away?"
  • Mistake: Not counting backwards properly on a number line.
    Why it happens: Losing track of how many jumps to make.
    Fix: Use your fingers or a counting stick to help you move back the right number of steps.
  • Mistake: Thinking that subtraction always makes the answer smaller.
    Why it happens: Not understanding that we can subtract a larger number from a smaller one to get a negative answer.
    For this page: We'll focus on positive numbers for now, but it's good to know that subtraction can give negative answers too.

Parent and carer guide

Here are 5 ways you can help your child with subtraction at home:
  1. Count with them: Use everyday situations like: "You had 6 sweets and ate 2. How many are left?"
  2. Use objects: Use toys, buttons, or pasta to show taking away.
  3. Draw pictures: Draw 10 stars, then cross out 4, and count the rest.
  4. Play subtraction games: Make a game where you take away some items and count what's left.
  5. Read subtraction problems aloud: Let your child solve them using objects or drawings.
What to watch for:
  • Does your child know the difference between "more" and "less"?
  • Can they count backwards?
  • Do they understand that subtraction means taking away?
What not to worry about:
  • It's normal for children to make mistakes at first.
  • They might need to count on their fingers or use objects to help.
  • Subtraction will get easier with practice.

Practice questions

  1. There were 12 balloons. 5 popped. How many are left?
  2. You have 15 pencils. You give 6 to your friend. How many do you have?
  3. There were 20 fish in the tank. 8 swam away. How many are left?
  4. There are 18 books. 9 were read. How many are still on the shelf?
  5. You had 25 marbles. 10 were lost. How many do you have now?
Answers:
  1. 7 balloons
  2. 9 pencils
  3. 12 fish
  4. 9 books
  5. 15 marbles

FAQ

What is subtraction?

Subtraction is the maths operation that means "take away" or "find what is left". It's the opposite of addition.

How do I teach subtraction to a young child?

Start with objects they can touch and move. Use simple language like "take away" and "how many are left". Use everyday situations like sharing toys or eating snacks.

What are some real-life examples of subtraction?

Examples include: eating cookies from a jar, losing socks in the washing machine, counting down from 10 to 0, or finding how many more points you need to win a game.

How can I help my child practice subtraction?

Play games, use everyday situations, draw pictures, count backwards, and use real objects like toys or food to make subtraction visual and fun.

Why is subtraction important?

Subtraction helps us solve problems in daily life, like checking change, measuring how much time has passed, or understanding how many items we have left after using some.