Taking Away Numbers Up to 20

Subtraction means taking something away and finding out how many are left. In second grade, you'll practice subtracting numbers up to 20.

Why Subtraction Is Important

Subtraction helps you know what remains when you give away or lose something. It's useful when sharing, shopping, or playing games.

Simple Subtraction Tricks

• Start with the bigger number and count down.
• Use drawings or objects to help you see what’s left.
• Practice using number lines to jump backwards.

Subtraction in Daily Life

Whenever you eat some cookies from a plate, you’re subtracting! If you start with 8 cookies and eat 3, how many are left? That's subtraction!

Word Problems

Subtraction often shows up in stories or problems about sharing or losing items.