Partition a whole into two parts and write as a subtraction equation | Maths

Starter quiz

Izzy has 10 cubes altogether. How many are hidden under the pot? Complete the equation to show how many are hiding under the pot. 8 +___= 10
- '2' ✓
Match the equation to the correct addend to complete the equation correctly.
- 4 + _ = 7
  
  ⇔
  
  3 ✓
- 8 = 7 + _
  
  ⇔
  
  1 ✓
- 0 + _ = 9
  
  ⇔
  
  9 ✓
Use the number pattern to fill in the missing part.
- '5' ✓
Jun wants to balance these scales so both sides are equal. What number will he have to write in the triangle?
- '2' ✓
Izzy has 8 pennies altogether. She has 2 in one pocket. Complete the equation to show how many she has in the other pocket? _ + 2 = 8
- 6 ✓
- 10
5 birds are on the branch and the rest are hidden. There are fewer than 7 birds altogether. Which of these numbers must be the missing part? _ + 5
- 4
- 2
- 1 ✓

Look at the picture. How many dogs are to be subtracted from the whole?
- '1' ✓
Use the picture to complete the equation 7 – 3 = _
- '4' ✓
There are 8 teddies. 2 belong to Izzy, and 6 do not belong to Izzy. Which pictures could represent this story?
Which picture shows a whole of 6?
Look at the picture and say whether the following is true or false. 2 is the whole.
- True
- False ✓
Which equation represents this picture?
- 5 + 2 = 3
- 2 - 3 = 5
- 5 - 3 = 2 ✓

When the whole and one part of the whole is known, subtraction can be used to find the missing part.
This can be represented with a subtraction equation.
The minus sign can be used to show that one part has been split or separated from the whole group.

Children may forget to start with the whole group when writing subtraction equations.

Maintain a strong focus throughout on what the numbers in equations represent. Explore mistakes that are made to clarify understanding.

Subtract - To separate or take away one number from another, or to decrease an amount.
Minus sign - The symbol in an equation which shows that a number has been partitioned, taken away or decreased.
Partition - The act of splitting an object or value down into smaller parts.
Known part - A piece or section of the whole that is known.
Unknown part - A piece or section of the whole that is not known.