Basic Subtraction

## Taking Away Subtraction means taking some away to see how many are left. We use the minus sign (−) for subtraction. ## How Subtraction Works If you have 5 cookies and eat 2, you subtract 2 from 5 to find out how many are left. ## Ways to Subtract - Use fingers to take some away - Draw pictures and cross out - Use number lines to count backward ## Subtraction Sentences A subtraction sentence looks like this: \( 7 - 3 = 4 \). The number you start with is called the minuend, the number you take away is the subtrahend, and the answer is the difference. ### Real-World Connections Subtraction helps you know how many pieces are left after sharing, or how much money you have after buying something.