Subtraction Examples in Math

Start with the recap, study the fully worked examples, then use the practice problems to check your understanding of Subtraction.

This page combines explanation, solved examples, and follow-up practice so you can move from recognition to confident problem-solving in Math.

Concept Recap

Finding the difference between two numbers by removing one quantity from another, or measuring the gap between them.

If you have 5 cookies and eat 2, how many are left? You take away to find out.

Read the full concept explanation →

How to Use These Examples

  • Read the first worked example with the solution open so the structure is clear.
  • Try the practice problems before revealing each solution.
  • Use the related concepts and background knowledge badges if you feel stuck.

What to Focus On

Core idea: Subtraction removes one amount from another, or measures the gap between two amounts.

Common stuck point: The procedure for subtraction is the easy part; the trap is subtracting the smaller digit from the larger in each column regardless of position. Asking "Am I removing an amount or finding the gap between two amounts?" first is what keeps a correct-looking calculation from being attached to the wrong concept.

Sense of Study hint: Ask: Am I removing an amount or finding the gap between two amounts?

Common Mistakes to Watch For

Before you work through the examples, skim the mistake guide so you know which shortcuts and sign errors to avoid.

Negative Numbers Mistakes

Worked Examples

Example 1

easy
There are 7 cookies on a plate. You eat 3 cookies. How many cookies are left? Use a−b=ca - b = c.

Answer

4 cookies

First step

1
Write the subtraction sentence: 7−3=?7 - 3 = ?

Full solution

  1. 2
    Start at 7 and count back 3: 6, 5, 4.
  2. 3
    So 7−3=47 - 3 = 4.
Subtraction means taking away from a group to find what remains. We start with 7 and remove 3 to get 4.

Example 2

medium
A jar has 12 marbles. A child takes out 5 marbles. How many marbles remain in the jar?

Example 3

easy
You have 5 balloons. 2 pop. How many balloons are left?

Example 4

easy
4 ducks are in a pond. 1 duck waddles away. How many ducks are left?

Example 5

medium
You see 3 apples on a tree. 2 apples fall down. How many apples are still on the tree?

Example 6

easy
There are 10 birds on a wire. 4 fly away. How many birds are left on the wire?

Example 7

easy
Owen had 10 pencils. He lost 7 of them. How many pencils does he still have?

Example 8

medium
Ava picked 9 flowers. She gave 5 to her grandma. How many flowers does Ava have now?

Example 9

easy
There are 15 frogs in the pond. 9 frogs hop away. How many frogs are still in the pond?

Example 10

easy
Emma had 16 markers. She gave 7 to her best friend. How many markers does Emma have left?

Example 11

hard
Rosa had 18 colored pencils. She gave 5 to her sister, then 4 broke. How many colored pencils does Rosa still have?

Example 12

easy
A school library has 75 books on the shelf. Students checked out 39 books today. How many books are still on the shelf?

Example 13

easy
Mia had \$45 saved. She spent \$18 on a toy. How much money does Mia have left?

Example 14

hard
The class read 85 books in September and the goal was 100 books. In October they read 47 books and the goal was 60. By how many books did the class miss the two-month total goal of 160?

Practice Problems

Try these problems on your own first, then open the solution to compare your method.

Example 1

easy
What is 9−49 - 4?

Example 2

medium
There are 15 birds on a fence. 6 birds fly away. How many birds are still on the fence?

Example 3

easy
Compute 9−49 - 4.

Example 4

easy
Compute 15−715 - 7.

Example 5

easy
Compute 47−1347 - 13.

Example 6

easy
Compute 52−2752 - 27.

Example 7

easy
Compute 7−07 - 0.

Example 8

easy
Compute 30−1630 - 16.

Example 9

easy
What number must be added to 1313 to get 2020?

Example 10

easy
Compute 100−37100 - 37.

Example 11

medium
Compute 403−158403 - 158.

Example 12

medium
Compute 1000−4371000 - 437.

Example 13

medium
Sara had $80\$80. She spent $23\$23 on books and $15\$15 on lunch. How much does she have left?

Example 14

medium
Compute 801−599801 - 599.

Example 15

medium
Compute 5,200−1,8475{,}200 - 1{,}847.

Example 16

medium
What is 20−3520 - 35?

Example 17

medium
A movie is 135135 minutes long. If it started at 7:457{:}45 PM, when does it end?

Example 18

medium
Compute 123−87123 - 87 using equal-additions instead of borrowing.

Example 19

medium
A theater has 250250 seats. Today 187187 were filled. How many were empty?

Example 20

challenge
Find a four-digit number that decreases by exactly 99 when its digits are reversed.

Example 21

challenge
Compute 1234−2341234 - 234 in your head without writing anything down. Explain your trick.

Example 22

challenge
A father is 3434 years older than his son. In 66 years, the father will be exactly 33 times the son's age. How old are they now?

Example 23

easy
You have 3 cookies. You eat 1. How many cookies are left?

Example 24

easy
🐟🐟🐟🐟 swim in a bowl. 1 fish jumps out. How many fish are left?

Example 25

easy
What is 4−24 - 2?

Example 26

medium
You have 5 grapes. You eat 3. How many grapes are left?

Example 27

hard
You have 4 crackers. You give 2 to your friend. How many crackers do you have left?

Example 28

easy
Sofia has 8 stickers. She gives 3 to her brother. How many stickers does Sofia have left?

Example 29

easy
What number must I take away from 6 to get 4? Fill the blank: 6−_=46 - \_ = 4.

Example 30

easy
What is 9−29 - 2?

Example 31

medium
Mia has 7 candies. Liam has 4 candies. How many more candies does Mia have than Liam?

Example 32

medium
There were 10 cupcakes. The class ate 6. How many cupcakes are left?

Example 33

easy
Compute 14−614 - 6.

Example 34

easy
If 7+5=127 + 5 = 12, what is 12−512 - 5?

Example 35

easy
Compute 13−413 - 4.

Example 36

medium
Compute 18−518 - 5.

Example 37

medium
Jack had 20 grapes. He ate 8 of them with his lunch. How many grapes does Jack have left?

Example 38

easy
Compute 57−2457 - 24.

Example 39

easy
Compute 52−2852 - 28.

Example 40

easy
Compute 84−3784 - 37.

Example 41

medium
Compute 100−46100 - 46.

Example 42

medium
A bus left the station with 48 passengers. At the first stop, 12 got off. At the second stop, 9 more got off. How many passengers are still on the bus?
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Background Knowledge

These ideas may be useful before you work through the harder examples.

countingaddition