What are one-step subtraction word problems (Grade 1 math)?

📚 What are One-Step Subtraction Word Problems?

One-step subtraction word problems are math problems presented in a story format that require you to subtract one number from another to find the answer. These problems help you understand how subtraction is used in everyday situations.

📜 History of Subtraction

Subtraction has been around for thousands of years! Early civilizations used different methods to keep track of quantities, often involving physical objects like stones or marks on clay tablets. Over time, symbols and more efficient techniques were developed, leading to the modern subtraction we use today.

🧠 Key Principles of One-Step Subtraction

• 🔍 Understanding the Problem: Read the word problem carefully to identify what you need to find out.
• 💡 Identifying Key Information: Look for the numbers and keywords (like "take away", "less than", "difference") that tell you to subtract.
• 📝 Setting up the Equation: Write the subtraction equation correctly (larger number minus smaller number).
• ➗ Solving the Equation: Perform the subtraction to find the answer.
• ✅ Checking Your Answer: Make sure your answer makes sense in the context of the problem.

➕ Real-World Examples

Let's look at some examples to understand this better:

1. Example 1: Sarah had 9 apples. She gave 3 apples to her friend. How many apples does Sarah have left?
   Solution: $9 - 3 = 6$. Sarah has 6 apples left.
2. Example 2: Tom has 7 toy cars. He loses 2 of them. How many toy cars does Tom have now?
   Solution: $7 - 2 = 5$. Tom has 5 toy cars now.
3. Example 3: There were 10 birds sitting on a tree. 4 birds flew away. How many birds are left on the tree?
   Solution: $10 - 4 = 6$. There are 6 birds left on the tree.

✏️ Practice Quiz

1. John had 8 balloons. He popped 1 balloon. How many balloons are left?
2. Lisa had 6 cookies. She ate 2 cookies. How many cookies are left?
3. Mike had 5 pencils. He gave away 3 pencils. How many pencils are left?
4. There were 9 students in the class. 2 students went home. How many students are left?
5. A baker made 7 cakes. He sold 4 cakes. How many cakes are left?

💡 Tips and Tricks

• 🔑 Keywords: Look for words like "left," "fewer," "less," "difference," and "take away."
• ✍️ Draw Pictures: Draw pictures to help visualize the problem.
• 🔢 Use Objects: Use small objects like counters or blocks to represent the numbers.

⭐ Conclusion

One-step subtraction word problems are a fundamental part of learning math. By understanding the key principles and practicing with real-world examples, you can master these problems and build a strong foundation for more advanced math concepts.