Maths Adventures
Wizard school maths quest: subtraction
A story-led junior maths adventure using potions, spells and pattern magic to work out what is left after trades, rescues or escapes.
Quick answer
Subtraction is when you take away some things from a group to find out how many are left. It's like magic in wizard school – you start with a pile of potions, use a spell to take some away, and discover how many potions are left.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to use subtraction to find out how many things are left after some have been taken away, using pictures, objects, and simple number sentences. Success signs:- You can count how many things you have at the start
- You can take away some things and count how many are left
- You can write a subtraction number sentence like 8 – 3 = 5
- You can solve simple word problems about taking away
Why this matters
Subtraction helps wizards in their spells, and it helps you in everyday life. When you have 10 sweets and eat 3, you need to know how many are left. When a wizard has 12 spell ingredients and uses 5, they need to know how many are left. Subtraction helps you keep track of what you have and what you use up.How it works
Subtraction is like a magic trick. You start with a group of things, you take some away, and you count what’s left. Step 1: Count how many things you start with. Step 2: Take away some things. Step 3: Count how many things are left. Step 4: Write it as a number sentence. You can use your fingers, toys, or drawings to help you subtract.Examples you can see
Let’s imagine you are at wizard school and you have 7 magic crystals. You use 3 crystals to cast a spell. How many crystals are left? Method 1: Using fingers - Hold up 7 fingers. - Put down 3 fingers. - Count the fingers still up: 4 fingers. - So, 7 – 3 = 4. Method 2: Using objects - You have 7 red cubes. - You take away 3 blue cubes. - You have 4 red cubes left. - So, 7 – 3 = 4. Method 3: Drawing pictures - Draw 7 stars. - Cross out 3 stars. - Count the stars left: 4 stars. - So, 7 – 3 = 4.Try it as a mini adventure
Wizard School Rescue Mission You are a wizard student in a magical school. Your friend is trapped in a tower, and you need to find 10 magic keys to unlock the door. You go on a journey and collect keys from different places. 1st time: You find 3 keys in the garden. 2nd time: You find 2 more keys in the library. 3rd time: You find 1 more key near the potion room. 4th time: You find 4 more keys in the tower. But wait! A dragon steals 3 keys from you. How many keys do you have now? Let’s work it out: - Start with 0 keys. - Find 3 keys: 0 + 3 = 3 keys. - Find 2 more: 3 + 2 = 5 keys. - Find 1 more: 5 + 1 = 6 keys. - Find 4 more: 6 + 4 = 10 keys. - Dragon steals 3 keys: 10 – 3 = 7 keys. You have 7 keys left to rescue your friend!Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking that 5 – 2 = 7. Why it happens: Mixing up subtraction with addition. Fix: Count backwards from 5: 5, 4, 3. So 5 – 2 = 3.
- Mistake: Taking away from the wrong number. Why it happens: Not reading the problem carefully. Fix: Read the problem twice and circle the number you start with.
- Mistake: Forgetting to write the answer. Why it happens: Thinking the number sentence is complete without the answer. Fix: Always write the equals sign and the final number.
- Mistake: Counting the wrong number when taking away. Why it happens: Not counting carefully. Fix: Use your fingers or objects to count each time you take something away.
Parent and carer guide
Help your child understand subtraction by using real-life situations and hands-on activities. What to say: - “You had 5 apples and ate 2. How many are left?” - “Let’s count how many toys you have, then take some away and see how many are left.” - “Can you show me how to subtract using your fingers?” How to help: - Use everyday objects like toys, fruit, or coins to practice subtraction. - Ask your child to explain how they solved a subtraction problem. - Encourage them to draw pictures to help with subtraction. - Be patient and celebrate small successes. What not to worry about: - Your child might make mistakes – that’s how they learn. - Don’t rush them to get the answer right away. - Focus on understanding the process, not just getting the right answer.Practice questions
- There are 8 magic wands. 3 are broken. How many wands are left?
- You have 12 spell books. You give 5 to your friend. How many do you have now?
- There are 10 dragons in the cave. 4 fly away. How many are left?
- You start with 15 potion ingredients. You use 7. How many are left?
- There are 9 wizard hats. 6 are taken by students. How many are left?
- 8 – 3 = 5
- 12 – 5 = 7
- 10 – 4 = 6
- 15 – 7 = 8
- 9 – 6 = 3
FAQ
What is subtraction?
Subtraction is taking away some things from a group to find out how many are left.
How do I know which number to start with?
The number you start with is the biggest number in the problem. It's the number you have before you take anything away.
Can I use my fingers to subtract?
Yes! Using your fingers is a great way to help you subtract. You can count backwards or take fingers away.
What if I don’t have enough things to take away?
If you don’t have enough things, you can still subtract. For example, if you have 5 things and take away 7, you would have a negative number, but for now, we’ll focus on taking away less than what you have.
Why do we learn subtraction?
We learn subtraction so we can figure out how many things are left after we use or give some away. It helps us in school, at home, and in our daily lives.