Class 1
CBSE
UP Board
📘 What's inside:
Concept 1 — What is Subtraction?
```Subtraction means taking away one group from another to find out how many are left. When we subtract, the result is always equal to or less than the number we started with.
Subtraction in real life:
Riya had 8 pencils. She gave 3 to her friend. Now she has 5 pencils left. There were 7 birds on a tree. 4 flew away. Now there are 3 birds left. A basket had 10 apples. We ate 4. Now there are 6 apples left.
▶ What Happens in Subtraction
- We take away a smaller group from a larger group.
- The number we start with is called the minuend.
- The number being taken away is called the subtrahend.
- The answer — what is left — is called the difference.
⚠ Remember
Subtraction always means taking away or finding the difference. If groups are being joined together, that is addition — not subtraction. Also, we can only subtract a smaller number from a larger number at this level.
▶ Solved Example 1
There are 7 mangoes in a basket. 3 are eaten. How many mangoes are left?
🍌
🍌
🍌
🍌
🍌
🍌
🍌
−
3
=
4
- 1Start with 7 mangoes.
- 2Cross out (take away) 3 mangoes.
- 3Count what is left: 4 mangoes.
7 − 3 = 4. There are 4 mangoes left.
▶ Solved Example 2
Rohan had 9 balloons. 5 burst. How many balloons does he have now?
🎈
🎈
🎈
🎈
🎈
🎈
🎈
🎈
🎈
−
5
=
4
- 1Start with 9 balloons.
- 2Take away (cross out) 5 balloons.
- 3Count the remaining: 4 balloons.
9 − 5 = 4. Rohan has 4 balloons now.
✍ Practice — Concept 1
Q1
There are 6 flowers in a vase. 2 are removed. How many flowers are left?
▼
Answer
We are taking away 2 flowers — this is subtraction.
6 − 2 = 4 flowers are left.
🌼
🌼
🌼
🌼
🌼
🌼
−
2
=
4
6 − 2 = 4 flowers are left.
Q2
Sunita had 8 biscuits. She ate 3. How many are left?
▼
Answer
Start with 8 biscuits. Take away 3.
8 − 3 = 5. Sunita has 5 biscuits left.
8 − 3 = 5. Sunita has 5 biscuits left.
Q3
Which of these is subtraction? (a) Priya has 5 stickers and gets 3 more. (b) Amit has 9 sweets and gives away 4.
▼
Answer
(a) Priya gets more — groups are being joined. This is addition.
(b) Amit gives away — something is being taken away. This is subtraction.
Answer: (b) is subtraction. 9 − 4 = 5 sweets.
(b) Amit gives away — something is being taken away. This is subtraction.
Answer: (b) is subtraction. 9 − 4 = 5 sweets.
Q4
A pond had 10 fish. 6 swam away. Write a subtraction sentence.
▼
Answer
Start: 10 fish. Taken away: 6 fish.
Subtraction sentence: 10 − 6 = 4
4 fish are left in the pond.
Subtraction sentence: 10 − 6 = 4
4 fish are left in the pond.
Concept 2 — The − and = Symbols
```Just like addition has its own symbols, subtraction uses special symbols to write the operation quickly.
−
Minus sign
Means “subtract” or “take away”.
=
Equals sign
Means “is equal to” or “leaves”.
8−3=5
Together
8 minus 3 equals 5.
▶ Reading the Symbols
- − is read as “minus” or “take away” or “subtract”.
- = is read as “equals” or “leaves” or “is”.
- 9 − 4 = 5 is read as: Nine minus four equals five.
- The = sign means both sides have the same value.
▶ Solved Example 3
Read this subtraction statement aloud and write its meaning in words: 10 − 6 = 4
- 110 is the minuend — the number we start with.
- 2− means we are taking away.
- 36 is the subtrahend — the number being taken away.
- 4= means the answer (difference) comes next.
- 54 is the difference — what is left.
“Ten minus six equals four.” Meaning: If we take 6 away from 10, we are left with 4.
▶ Solved Example 4
Write the correct symbol (− or =) in each blank:
(a) 8 ___ 3 ___ 5 (b) 7 ___ 0 ___ 7 (c) 10 ___ 4 ___ 6
(a) 8 ___ 3 ___ 5 (b) 7 ___ 0 ___ 7 (c) 10 ___ 4 ___ 6
- a8 take away 3 leaves 5: 8 − 3 = 5.
- b7 take away 0 leaves 7: 7 − 0 = 7.
- c10 take away 4 leaves 6: 10 − 4 = 6.
(a) 8 − 3 = 5 (b) 7 − 0 = 7 (c) 10 − 4 = 6
✍ Practice — Concept 2
Q5
Read aloud and write in words: 9 − 4 = 5
▼
Answer
“Nine minus four equals five.”
It means: if we take 4 away from 9, we are left with 5.
It means: if we take 4 away from 9, we are left with 5.
Q6
Fill in with − or =: (a) 6 ___ 2 ___ 4 (b) 10 ___ 5 ___ 5
▼
Answer
(a) 6 − 2 = 4
(b) 10 − 5 = 5
(b) 10 − 5 = 5
Q7
What does the = sign mean in 8 − 3 = 5? Explain in your own words.
▼
Answer
The = sign means “is equal to” or “leaves”.
In 8 − 3 = 5, it tells us that when we take 3 away from 8, the result is 5. Both sides have the same value.
In 8 − 3 = 5, it tells us that when we take 3 away from 8, the result is 5. Both sides have the same value.
Concept 3 — The Subtraction Sentence
```When we write a subtraction using numbers and symbols, it is called a subtraction sentence. Every subtraction sentence has the same structure.
9
−
4
=
5
▲ Minuend
▲ Subtrahend
▲ Difference
▶ Parts of a Subtraction Sentence
- Minuend — the number we start with (always the bigger number).
- Subtrahend — the number being taken away.
- Difference — the answer; what is left after subtracting.
- Structure: Minuend − Subtrahend = Difference
▶ Solved Example 5
Identify the minuend, subtrahend and difference in: 8 − 5 = 3
8
−
5
=
3
▲ Minuend = 8
▲ Subtrahend = 5
▲ Difference = 3
- 18 is the minuend — the number we start with.
- 25 is the subtrahend — the number taken away.
- 33 is the difference — what remains.
Minuend = 8 Subtrahend = 5 Difference = 3
▶ Solved Example 6
Write a subtraction sentence: “Tina had 10 toffees. She gave 6 to her brother. She now has 4.”
- 1Minuend: 10 (toffees Tina started with).
- 2Subtrahend: 6 (given away).
- 3Difference: 4 (left with Tina).
10
−
6
=
4
Subtraction sentence: 10 − 6 = 4
✍ Practice — Concept 3
Q8
In 7 − 3 = 4, name the minuend, subtrahend and difference.
▼
Answer
Minuend: 7 (number we start with).
Subtrahend: 3 (number taken away).
Difference: 4 (what is left).
Subtrahend: 3 (number taken away).
Difference: 4 (what is left).
Q9
Write a subtraction sentence: A box has 9 balls. 4 are taken out. How many are left?
▼
Answer
Minuend = 9. Subtrahend = 4. Difference = 9 − 4 = 5.
Subtraction sentence: 9 − 4 = 5
5 balls are left in the box.
Subtraction sentence: 9 − 4 = 5
5 balls are left in the box.
Q10
Find the missing difference: (a) 9 − 3 = ___ (b) 8 − 4 = ___ (c) 10 − 7 = ___
▼
Answer
(a) 9 − 3 = 6
(b) 8 − 4 = 4
(c) 10 − 7 = 3
(b) 8 − 4 = 4
(c) 10 − 7 = 3
Concept 4 — Subtracting with Objects
```The simplest way to subtract is by using real objects or by counting back. We start with the full group, remove the given number, and count what is left.
▶ Two Methods for Subtracting Small Numbers
- Count all: Show all objects. Cross out the ones being taken away. Count what remains.
- Count back: Start at the minuend. Count backwards by the subtrahend. The number you land on is the difference.
▶ Solved Example 7 — Count All Method
Find 8 − 3 using the count all method.
⬛
⬛
⬛
⬛
⬛
⬛
⬛
⬛
=
5
- 1Show 8 objects.
- 2Cross out 3 objects (the subtrahend).
- 3Count the remaining objects: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
8 − 3 = 5
▶ Solved Example 8 — Count Back Method
Find 9 − 4 using the count back method.
- 1Start at 9 (the minuend). Hold it in your head.
- 2Count back 4 steps: “9 … 8, 7, 6, 5”.
- 3We land on 5. That is the difference.
9 − 4 = 5 (Count back from 9: 8, 7, 6, 5)
✍ Practice — Concept 4
Q11
Use count all: 7 − 4 = ___
▼
Answer
Cross out 4, count remaining: 1, 2, 3.
7 − 4 = 3
⬛
⬛
⬛
⬛
⬛
⬛
⬛
=
3
7 − 4 = 3
Q12
Use count back: 10 − 3 = ___
▼
Answer
Start at 10. Count back 3: 10 → 9, 8, 7.
10 − 3 = 7
10 − 3 = 7
Q13
Which method is faster for 9 − 2 — count all or count back? Find the answer using that method.
▼
Answer
Count back is faster.
Start at 9. Count back 2: 9 → 8, 7.
9 − 2 = 7
Start at 9. Count back 2: 9 → 8, 7.
9 − 2 = 7
Concept 5 — Properties of Subtraction
```Subtraction follows some special rules. These are different from addition — subtraction does not have all the same properties. Knowing these helps avoid common mistakes.
Subtracting Zero
When you subtract 0 from any number, the number stays the same.
7 − 0 = 7
5 − 0 = 5
Taking nothing away changes nothing.
7 − 0 = 7
5 − 0 = 5
Taking nothing away changes nothing.
Subtracting from Itself
When you subtract a number from itself, the answer is always zero.
6 − 6 = 0
9 − 9 = 0
If all objects are taken away, nothing is left.
6 − 6 = 0
9 − 9 = 0
If all objects are taken away, nothing is left.
Order Matters!
Unlike addition, swapping numbers changes the answer.
8 − 3 = 5
3 − 8 ≠ 5
We cannot subtract a bigger number from a smaller one (at this level).
8 − 3 = 5
3 − 8 ≠ 5
We cannot subtract a bigger number from a smaller one (at this level).
Subtracting 1
When you subtract 1 from any number, you get the previous number.
7 − 1 = 6
10 − 1 = 9
Subtracting 1 = counting one step back.
7 − 1 = 6
10 − 1 = 9
Subtracting 1 = counting one step back.
▶ Solved Example 9
Show that 9 − 4 and 4 − 9 do not give the same answer. What does this tell us?
- 19 − 4 = 5. ✓ We can take 4 from 9.
- 24 − 9 = not possible at this level. We cannot take 9 away from 4 because 9 > 4.
- 3This shows that subtraction is not commutative — order always matters.
9 − 4 = 5 but 4 − 9 is not valid. Order matters in subtraction.
▶ Solved Example 10
Find: (a) 8 − 0 (b) 5 − 5 (c) 9 − 1 (d) 0 − 0
- a8 − 0 = 8. Subtracting zero keeps the number the same.
- b5 − 5 = 0. A number minus itself is always zero.
- c9 − 1 = 8. Subtracting 1 gives the previous number.
- d0 − 0 = 0. Zero minus zero is zero.
(a) 8 (b) 0 (c) 8 (d) 0
✍ Practice — Concept 5
Q14
Fill in: (a) 9 − 0 = ___ (b) ___ − 4 = 0 (c) 6 − 1 = ___
▼
Answer
(a) 9 − 0 = 9 (subtracting zero)
(b) 4 − 4 = 0 (number minus itself)
(c) 6 − 1 = 5 (subtracting 1 gives previous number)
(b) 4 − 4 = 0 (number minus itself)
(c) 6 − 1 = 5 (subtracting 1 gives previous number)
Q15
True or False: 7 − 3 = 3 − 7. Give a reason.
▼
Answer
False. 7 − 3 = 4, but 3 − 7 is not possible (we cannot subtract a bigger number from a smaller one).
Subtraction is not commutative — changing the order changes the result.
Subtraction is not commutative — changing the order changes the result.
Q16
Find: (a) 10 − 0 (b) 8 − 8 (c) 5 − 1 (d) 7 − 7
▼
Answer
(a) 10 − 0 = 10
(b) 8 − 8 = 0
(c) 5 − 1 = 4
(d) 7 − 7 = 0
(b) 8 − 8 = 0
(c) 5 − 1 = 4
(d) 7 − 7 = 0
Concept 6 — Horizontal Method of Subtraction
```In the horizontal method, we write both numbers side by side and subtract in a single line. This is the most natural way to write a subtraction sentence.
▶ How to Subtract Horizontally
- Write the minuend first, then the − sign, then the subtrahend, then =.
- Think of the minuend on a number line and count back by the subtrahend.
- Write the difference after the = sign.
▶ Solved Example 11
Find 9 − 5 using the horizontal method.
- 1Write: 9 − 5 = ?
- 2Start at 9. Count back 5: 9 → 8, 7, 6, 5, 4.
- 3Write the difference: 9 − 5 = 4.
9 − 5 = 4
▶ Solved Example 12
Find 10 − 6 and 10 − 4. What do you notice about the two differences?
- 110 − 6 = 4. (Count back 6 from 10.)
- 210 − 4 = 6. (Count back 4 from 10.)
- 3Notice: the subtrahend and difference have swapped. This is the subtraction fact family — 10, 6, and 4 are related: 6 + 4 = 10, 10 − 6 = 4, 10 − 4 = 6.
10 − 6 = 4 and 10 − 4 = 6. They form a fact family with 6 + 4 = 10.
✍ Practice — Concept 6
Q17
Find horizontally: (a) 8 − 6 (b) 7 − 4 (c) 10 − 3 (d) 6 − 6
▼
Answer
(a) 8 − 6 = 2
(b) 7 − 4 = 3
(c) 10 − 3 = 7
(d) 6 − 6 = 0
(b) 7 − 4 = 3
(c) 10 − 3 = 7
(d) 6 − 6 = 0
Q18
Write both subtraction sentences from the fact family: 9, 5, 4.
▼
Answer
The fact family of 9, 5, 4: 5 + 4 = 9
Subtraction sentences: 9 − 5 = 4 and 9 − 4 = 5
Subtraction sentences: 9 − 5 = 4 and 9 − 4 = 5
Concept 7 — Column Method of Subtraction
```The column method works the same way as for addition — we write one number below the other and subtract each column. At this level we only subtract single digits where every column gives a positive result (no borrowing needed).
▶ Steps for Column Subtraction
- Write the minuend (bigger number) on top.
- Write the subtrahend (smaller number) directly below, aligning Ones under Ones.
- Write the − sign to the left of the subtrahend.
- Draw a line underneath.
- Subtract the Ones column. Write the difference below the line.
- Draw a second line under the answer.
▶ Solved Example 13
Find 9 − 4 using the column method.
O
9
−4
5
O
Ones: 9 − 4 = 5.
Write 5 below the line.
Write 5 below the line.
9 − 4 = 5
▶ Solved Example 14
Find 8 − 3 using the column method.
O
8
−3
5
O
Ones: 8 − 3 = 5. Write 5.
8 − 3 = 5
▶ Solved Example 15 — Subtracting Zero
Find 7 − 0 using the column method.
O
7
−0
7
O
Ones: 7 − 0 = 7.
Subtracting zero leaves the number unchanged.
Subtracting zero leaves the number unchanged.
7 − 0 = 7
✍ Practice — Concept 7
Q19
Solve using the column method: 10 − 4
▼
Answer
O: 10 − 4 = 6. Answer: 6
O
10
−4
6
Q20
Solve the drill using the column method: (a) 7 − 2 (b) 9 − 6 (c) 8 − 8 (d) 10 − 1
▼
Answer
(a) 5 (b) 3 (c) 0 (d) 9
(a)
O
7
−2
5
(b)
O
9
−6
3
(c)
O
8
−8
0
(d)
O
10
−1
9
★ Key Points to Remember
- Subtraction means taking away to find what is left.
- The − sign means “minus” or “take away”. The = sign means “equals” or “leaves”.
- Minuend − Subtrahend = Difference.
- Subtracting 0 from any number gives the same number. (7 − 0 = 7)
- Subtracting a number from itself gives 0. (5 − 5 = 0)
- Subtracting 1 gives the previous number. (8 − 1 = 7)
- Order matters in subtraction — unlike addition, you cannot swap the numbers. (9 − 4 ≠ 4 − 9)
- A subtraction fact and two addition facts form a fact family. (10−6=4, 10−4=6, 6+4=10)
Exam Style — Class 1
6 Questions on What is Subtraction
Q1
Name the minuend, subtrahend and difference in: 9 − 3 = 6. Write this sentence in words.
▼
Answer
Minuend: 9. Subtrahend: 3. Difference: 6.
In words: “Nine minus three equals six.”
In words: “Nine minus three equals six.”
Q2
Find using the count-back method: (a) 8 − 3 (b) 10 − 4 (c) 7 − 5
▼
Answer
(a) Start at 8, count back 3: 7, 6, 5. 8 − 3 = 5
(b) Start at 10, count back 4: 9, 8, 7, 6. 10 − 4 = 6
(c) Start at 7, count back 5: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. 7 − 5 = 2
(b) Start at 10, count back 4: 9, 8, 7, 6. 10 − 4 = 6
(c) Start at 7, count back 5: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. 7 − 5 = 2
Q3
Fill in using properties: (a) 5 − ___ = 5 (b) 8 − ___ = 0 (c) 9 − 1 = ___
▼
Answer
(a) 5 − 0 = 5 (subtracting zero)
(b) 8 − 8 = 0 (number minus itself)
(c) 9 − 1 = 8 (subtracting 1 gives previous number)
(b) 8 − 8 = 0 (number minus itself)
(c) 9 − 1 = 8 (subtracting 1 gives previous number)
Q4
Priya had 10 stickers. She gave 4 to Ravi. Write a subtraction sentence and find how many stickers she has left.
▼
Answer
Subtraction sentence: 10 − 4 = 6.
Priya has 6 stickers left.
Priya has 6 stickers left.
Q5
Solve using the column method: (a) 9 − 5 (b) 10 − 7
▼
Answer
(a) 4 (b) 3
(a)
O
9
−5
4
(b)
O
10
−7
3
Q6
A student writes 4 − 9 = 5. Is this correct? Explain why and write the correct sentence.
▼
Answer
No, 4 − 9 = 5 is incorrect.
We cannot subtract 9 from 4 because 9 > 4. The minuend must always be larger than the subtrahend.
The correct sentence is: 9 − 4 = 5. (Order matters in subtraction.)
We cannot subtract 9 from 4 because 9 > 4. The minuend must always be larger than the subtrahend.
The correct sentence is: 9 − 4 = 5. (Order matters in subtraction.)
📄 Free Worksheet
Practise subtraction sentences, count-back method, properties of subtraction, fact families, horizontal method and column method with our free printable worksheet for Class 1. No login required.
► Open Free Worksheet
