Subtraction facts to 20
Grade 2 and up
Subtraction facts to 20 undo the addition facts. A child who knows 8 + 7 = 15 already has the key to 15 − 7 and 15 − 8.
How to learn them
- Think of the adding fact: 13 − 5 asks 5 + ? = 13.
- Or go back to 10 first, then take away the rest.
Example: 13 − 5 = ? 13 − 3 is 10. Take away 2 more: 8. Answer: 8.
Try three
4 − 1 = ?
Tap an answer to try it.
7 − 1 = ?
Tap an answer to try it.
15 − 6 = ?
Tap an answer to try it.
Questions parents ask
- Why is subtraction harder than addition?
- The order matters (9 − 4 is not 4 − 9), and counting back is easy to slip on. Thinking of the missing addend (“4 and what make 9?”) avoids both problems.
- How can I help at home?
- Say a fact family out loud, like 6, 8 and 14: 6 + 8, 8 + 6, 14 − 6, 14 − 8. Then ask for one of the four.
More sets: all math facts practice. Math facts practice is not a report-card mark; it shows what a child knows by heart.
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