Furthering understanding of subtraction as decreasing an amount | Maths

Starter quiz

6 - 2 = 4 First, there were 6 apples on the plate. Then, 2 apples were taken off the plate. Now, there are 4 apples on the plate. What does the 2 represent in this story?
- The amount left at the end of the story
- The amount at the start of the story
- The amount subtracted ✓
Which story could match this picture?
- First, there were 5 birds. Then, 1 flew off. Now, there are 4 birds. ✓
- First, there were 5 birds. Then, 4 flew off. Now, there are 4 birds.
- First, there were 4 birds. Then, one flew in. Now, there are 5 birds.
Which equation matches this story?
- 8 - 5 = 3
- 5 + 3 = 8
- 8 - 3 = 5 ✓
Which equation matches the story?
- 7 - 3 = 4
- 7 - 4 = 3 ✓
- 3 + 4 = 7
What is the subtrahend in this problem?
- 3 ✓
- 4
- 5
Match the story to the equation it represents.
- 8 - 4 = 4
  
  ⇔
  
  First, there were 8 cars. Then, 4 drove away. Now, there are 4 cars. ✓
- 5 - 5 = 0
  
  ⇔
  
  First, there were 5 dogs. Then, 5 ran away. Now, there are 0 dogs. ✓
- 10 - 6 = 4
  
  ⇔
  
  First, there were 10 birds. Then, 6 flew away. Now, there are 4 birds. ✓

A monkey has 7 bananas. She eats 5 of them. How many bananas does she have left?
- 4
- 2 ✓
- 7
Which equation matches this 'First, then, now' story?
- 6 - 5 = 1 ✓
- 6 - 4 = 2
- 6 - 1 = 5
Write an equation to represent this story.
- '8 - 3 = 5' ✓
Is this number line showing an increase or a decrease from the amount at the start of the story?
- Increase ✓
- Decrease
Is this story showing an increase or a decrease from the first amount?
- Increase ✓
- Decrease
Which of these stories is correct?

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After exploring reduction, children may struggle to see partitioning as subtraction because a part is not taken away from the whole.

Make strong links between equations and different subtraction contexts by focusing on what the subtrahend represents in each case.

Subtraction - To partition one part from another (the subtrahend from the difference), or to decrease an amount by taking an amount away.
Decrease - Make something smaller in size or quantity decrease.
Addition - To find the total, or sum, by combining two or more parts (addends), or to increase an amount by adding another.
Increase - To make something larger/greater in size or quantity.