Maths Adventures
Train maths quest: subtraction
A story-led junior maths adventure using timetables, distances and platform clues to work out what is left after trades, rescues or escapes.
Quick answer
Subtraction is about taking away or finding what is left. In a train maths quest, you might start with 12 passengers and 5 get off at a station, leaving 7 passengers on the train.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will understand how to use subtraction to solve problems about trains, like how many passengers are left after some get off, or how far a train has to go. Success signs:- You can count backwards to find what is left
- You can solve simple subtraction problems using objects or drawings
- You can work out how many things are missing in a train journey
- You can use subtraction to solve real problems about trains
Why this matters
Subtraction helps you understand how things change when some are taken away. In a train journey, you might start with 10 passengers, 3 get off, and you need to know how many are left. This is subtraction. It's also used when you're planning a journey, working out how much time is left, or sharing train seats with friends. In games like Minecraft, you might build a train track and then remove some blocks. In real life, you might have 8 cookies and eat 3 – you need to know how many are left. Subtraction is used everywhere!How it works
Subtraction means taking away or finding what is left. We can use subtraction in many ways:- Start with a number – like 8 passengers on a train
- Take away some – like 3 passengers getting off
- Find what is left – 8 minus 3 equals 5 passengers
- Counting backwards
- Comparing two amounts
- Seeing how much more one group has than another
Examples you can see
Let's look at some train subtraction problems using real things you can imagine or draw. Example 1: Passengers getting off A train has 10 passengers. At the first station, 4 passengers get off. How many are left?- Start with 10 passengers
- Take away 4 passengers
- Count backwards: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6
- There are 6 passengers left
- Start with 20 kilometres
- Take away 12 kilometres
- Count backwards: 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8
- There are 8 kilometres left
- Start with 15 cars
- Take away 7 broken cars
- Count backwards: 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8
- There are 8 cars left
Try it as a mini adventure
Train Maths Quest: The Lost Platform You are on a train journey with 12 passengers. You have a map showing the train route and the platform numbers. You need to solve clues to find the correct platform.- 1st stop: 12 passengers on the train
- 2nd stop: 5 passengers get off
- 3rd stop: 3 passengers get on
- 4th stop: 2 passengers get off
- 5th stop: 4 passengers get off
- 6th stop: 1 passenger gets on
- Start with 12 passengers
- At 2nd stop: 12 - 5 = 7 passengers
- At 3rd stop: 7 + 3 = 10 passengers
- At 4th stop: 10 - 2 = 8 passengers
- At 5th stop: 8 - 4 = 4 passengers
- At 6th stop: 4 + 1 = 5 passengers
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking 8 - 3 = 5, but forgetting that 8 - 3 = 5
Why it happens: Confusing the answer with the subtraction process.
Fix: Use objects or drawings to show 8 things, take away 3, and count what is left. - Mistake: Subtracting the bigger number from the smaller number
Why it happens: Not understanding which number is the starting amount.
Fix: Always start with the bigger number and take away the smaller number. - Mistake: Counting forwards instead of backwards when subtracting
Why it happens: Mixing up addition and subtraction.
Fix: Use a number line or count backwards with fingers. - Mistake: Thinking that 0 - 0 = 0 is wrong
Why it happens: Not understanding that subtracting zero from any number leaves the number unchanged.
Fix: Remember: any number minus zero equals that number.
Parent and carer guide
You can help your child with subtraction by:- Using everyday situations like sharing cookies or counting toys
- Letting them draw pictures or use physical objects to solve problems
- Encouraging them to count backwards when subtracting
- Playing subtraction games with cards or dice
- Not worrying if they make mistakes – that’s part of learning!
- "Let's count backwards from 10 to see how many are left"
- "Can you show me how you solved that problem?"
- "You're doing great! Let's try one more"
- Don’t say "That’s wrong" – say "Let’s try again"
- Don’t rush – let them think and make mistakes
- Don’t compare them to others
Practice questions
- There are 10 apples on a tree. 4 fall off. How many are left?
- A train has 15 passengers. 6 get off. How many are left?
- There are 12 toy cars. 3 are broken. How many work?
- A train journey is 20 km. It has gone 10 km. How far is left?
- There are 18 birds on a fence. 9 fly away. How many are left?
- 10 - 4 = 6 apples
- 15 - 6 = 9 passengers
- 12 - 3 = 9 cars
- 20 - 10 = 10 km
- 18 - 9 = 9 birds
FAQ
What is subtraction?
Subtraction is taking away one number from another to find what is left.
How can I help my child learn subtraction?
You can use everyday examples, play games, and let them use objects or drawings to solve problems.
Why is subtraction important?
Subtraction helps us know how many things are left, how far we have to go, and how much is missing.
What are some real-life uses of subtraction?
Subtraction is used when you pay for something, share snacks, plan a journey, or count how many toys you have left.
How can I make subtraction fun?
Use games, stories, and real-life situations. For example, pretend you're on a train and passengers get off at each stop!