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Netball Maths

Netball personal bests maths challenge

A child-friendly sports challenge using personal bests to practise subtraction with real examples.

Quick answer

You can use subtraction to find out how much your personal best has improved in netball by comparing your old score to your new score.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use subtraction to find the difference between your old netball score and your new personal best score. Success signs:
  • You can subtract two numbers to find the difference
  • You can use subtraction to show how much your netball score has improved
  • You can compare two scores and say how much better one is than the other
  • You can solve problems about netball personal bests using subtraction

Why this matters

Subtraction helps you see how much you have improved in netball. When you beat your personal best, you can use subtraction to show exactly how many more goals you scored. This is useful not just for netball, but for any sport or activity where you want to track your progress. It also helps you understand how much you have grown or improved over time.

How it works

To find the difference between your old score and your new score, you:
  1. Write down your old score
  2. Write down your new score
  3. Subtract the old score from the new score
  4. The answer shows how much you improved

Examples you can see

Let's imagine you are playing netball and you want to see how much you have improved. Example 1: You scored 5 goals last week. You scored 8 goals this week. To find how much you improved: 8 – 5 = 3 You improved by 3 goals. Example 2: You scored 2 goals last month. You scored 7 goals this month. To find how much you improved: 7 – 2 = 5 You improved by 5 goals. Example 3: You scored 10 goals last season. You scored 15 goals this season. To find how much you improved: 15 – 10 = 5 You improved by 5 goals. These examples show how subtraction helps you see your progress in netball.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Netball Score Tracker You are a netball player who wants to track your progress. Here is your challenge: Week 1: You scored 4 goals. Week 2: You scored 6 goals. Week 3: You scored 9 goals. Week 4: You scored 12 goals. 4th time: How many more goals did you score in Week 4 than in Week 1? Answer: 12 – 4 = 8 5th time: How many more goals did you score in Week 3 than in Week 2? Answer: 9 – 6 = 3 6th time: How many more goals did you score in Week 4 than in Week 3? Answer: 12 – 9 = 3 7th time: What is the difference between your best score and your worst score? Answer: 12 – 4 = 8 8th time: If you want to beat your personal best by 3 more goals, how many goals should you aim for? Answer: 12 + 3 = 15 goals

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Subtracting the new score from the old score instead of the old from the new.
    Why it happens: You might forget which number to start with.
    Fix: Always subtract the smaller number from the larger number to find how much you improved.
  • Mistake: Thinking that 8 – 5 = 13.
    Why it happens: Confusing addition with subtraction.
    Fix: Use counting or objects to help you subtract correctly. 8 – 5 = 3.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to write down the numbers.
    Why it happens: Not being careful with your work.
    Fix: Always write down both numbers clearly before subtracting.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Practising subtraction with your child using netball scores or other sports
  • Encouraging your child to write down their scores and find the differences
  • Using real-life examples like goals, points, or distances to show how subtraction works
  • Reinforcing that subtraction shows how much something has improved
  • Helping your child check their work to avoid simple mistakes
This is a fun way to learn subtraction and see how you improve in netball. It also helps children understand how subtraction is used in real life.

Practice questions

  1. Lucy scored 3 goals last game. She scored 7 goals this game. How many more goals did she score this game?
  2. Tom scored 6 goals last month. He scored 10 goals this month. How many more goals did he score this month?
  3. Emma scored 4 goals last season. She scored 9 goals this season. How many more goals did she score this season?
  4. Ben scored 8 goals last week. He scored 11 goals this week. How many more goals did he score this week?
  5. Alex scored 2 goals last game. He scored 5 goals this game. How many more goals did he score this game?
Answers:
  1. 7 – 3 = 4
  2. 10 – 6 = 4
  3. 9 – 4 = 5
  4. 11 – 8 = 3
  5. 5 – 2 = 3

FAQ

What is a personal best in netball?

A personal best in netball is the highest number of goals you have ever scored in one game or one season.

How can I use subtraction to find my personal best improvement?

You subtract your old score from your new score. The answer shows how much you improved.

Why is it helpful to know how much you improved?

It helps you see your progress and feel proud of getting better at netball.

Can I use subtraction for other sports too?

Yes! You can use subtraction to see how much you improved in football, basketball, swimming, or any sport.

What if I score the same number of goals?

If you score the same number, the difference is 0. You did not improve at all.