How to Find the Difference: Subtraction Explained for First Graders

📚 Understanding Subtraction: Finding the Difference

Subtraction isn't just about taking things away. It's also about finding out how much bigger one number is than another. Think of it like comparing two stacks of blocks and seeing how many more blocks one stack has!

➖ What is Subtraction?

Subtraction is a math operation where you take away a number from another number. It shows how much is left when you remove some items from a group, or the difference between two numbers. The symbol we use for subtraction is the minus sign: -.

🔍 What is Finding the Difference?

Finding the difference means comparing two numbers to see how much bigger one number is than the other. It's another way to think about subtraction! Instead of focusing on taking away, you're focusing on how much "more" one number has.

Comparing Subtraction and Finding the Difference

Feature	Subtraction	Finding the Difference
Focus	Taking away from a total	Comparing two numbers
Question	How much is left?	How much bigger is one than the other?
Keywords	Take away, minus, less	Difference, compare, how much more
Example	$5 - 2 = 3$ (Start with 5, take away 2, you have 3 left)	What is the difference between 5 and 2? (5 is 3 more than 2)

💡 Key Takeaways:

• 🍎 Subtraction and finding the difference are closely related.
• 📝 Finding the difference helps us understand *how much* larger one number is compared to another.
• ➕ Think of subtraction as both "taking away" and "comparing"!

➗ Practice Quiz

Let's test your subtraction skills! Solve these problems:

1. ❓ What is 7 - 3?
2. ❓ What is the difference between 10 and 4?
3. ❓ Mia has 6 apples, and she gives 2 to her friend. How many apples does Mia have left?
4. ❓ Tom has 8 toy cars, and Sam has 5. How many more toy cars does Tom have than Sam?
5. ❓ What is 9 - 5?
6. ❓ What is the difference between 12 and 6?
7. ❓ Lisa has 11 stickers, and she uses 4. How many stickers does Lisa have left?