Subtraction as Difference Math Example 2

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 2

medium
A red tower has 11 blocks. A blue tower has 6 blocks. How many fewer blocks does the blue tower have?

Solution

  1. 1
    We compare the two towers: 11 blocks vs 6 blocks.
  2. 2
    Write the difference: \(11 - 6 = ?\)
  3. 3
    Count up from 6 to 11: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 — that is 5 steps.
  4. 4
    The blue tower has 5 fewer blocks.

Answer

5 fewer blocks
The difference between 11 and 6 is 5. Difference tells us how far apart two numbers are.

About Subtraction as Difference

Understanding subtraction as finding the gap or difference between two quantities, rather than just 'taking away.' This comparison model asks 'how many more?' or 'how far apart?'

Learn more about Subtraction as Difference →

More Subtraction as Difference Examples

Example 1 easy

Rosa has 8 grapes. Tom has 5 grapes. How many MORE grapes does Rosa have than Tom?

Example 3 easy

Ana has 7 stickers. Ben has 4 stickers. How many more stickers does Ana have?

Example 4 medium

Mia collected 14 seashells and Jake collected 9 seashells. What is the difference in the number of s

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