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Emily

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
8+ years of tutoring

I am currently a fourth year medical student in Indianapolis. I completed my undergraduate education at Indiana University Bloomington, where I majored in Biology and Spanish. I also completed two min...

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Indiana University-Bloomington

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

Doctor of Medicine, Community Health and Preventive Medicine

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Max

Bachelors, Biology, General
1+ years of tutoring

I am in the process now of applying for PhD programs in Computational Biology. I have done research in the field of freshwater ecology and am anticipating the publication of a paper I co-authored in t...

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Ball State University

Bachelors, Biology, General

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Rhea

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
6+ years of tutoring

I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and...

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University of Chicago

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

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Ishan

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
5+ years of tutoring

I am a current sophomore at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where I am majoring in Biology as part of the 7 Year Accelerated Medical Program. I am also minoring in Healthcare Economics and Policy. M...

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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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Albany Medical College

Doctor of Medicine, Premedicine

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Ilesh

Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering
6+ years of tutoring

I am a recent grad from Georgia Tech, majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering (an intersection of math, computer science, and business) and minoring in Business and Technology. I am originally ...

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Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering

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Benjamin

Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
5+ years of tutoring

I am a 2023 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Finance/Economics major and a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I am a passionate student in the math and business realms, as I enjo...

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University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)

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Arthur

Bachelor in Arts, Economics
5+ years of tutoring

I am available to tutor in a broad range of subjects, though I am most passionate about Economics, History, and Civics. Please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to arrange a session.

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Middlebury College

Bachelor in Arts, Economics

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John

Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama
16+ years of tutoring

I'm a huge Red Sox fan and love watching detective shows when I have free time.

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University of St Thomas

Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama

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Associates, Acting

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Vansh

Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering
9+ years of tutoring

I am currently pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I am also a graduate of the high school International Baccalaureate Program. I have info...

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Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering

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Rahul

B.S. in Chemical Engineering
6+ years of tutoring

I am a recent graduate of Cornell University, where I received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Over the past several years, I have worked with students from diverse backg...

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Daniel

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Anna

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I'm Anna! I'm currently a student in the MD/MBA program between Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and the Kellogg School of Management, and graduated from Northwestern University as part of the Honors Program in Medical Education. I attended the Bergen County Academies in New Jersey, a selective, application-based magnet school, for high school.

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Satvik

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I am an incoming college sophomoore studying Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I was one of the top scholars at Carmel High School in Indiana and have various experiences teaching and tutoring through leading the Carmel High School Science Olympiad team to Nationals for two years in a row. Many of my friends consistently come to me for help with various subjects because of my willingness to help and teach in a way that makes sense to everyone. My specialities are physics, chemistry, math, and economics but I am comfortable tutoring any STEM subject, the SAT, and the ACT. Some of my accomplishments include a perfect 36 ACT score, 800 on the Physics, Math Level 2, and Chemistry SAT subject tests, and a 5 on all the physics, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Macroeconomics, Computer Science, etc. AP exams. When teaching, I focus on making sure that not only do students understand different concepts, but also that students understand why and practical applications of the different concepts. As a recent high school graduate, I have a deep understanding of how high-schoolers think, what is covered in various courses now, and can connect with my students a lot more. Additionally, as an undergraduate teaching assistant at the College of Computing at Georgia Tech, I taught weekly recitation sections of 30 students and held weekly office hours. Therefore, I have lots of experience teaching and working with students.

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Jacob

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Benjin

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Amanda

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I'm currently a fourth year medical student at a private medical school in Texas. I've been involved with tutoring since middle school continuing all the way through medical school. There are so many different ways to teach based on how students learn best and I am passionate about meeting the individual needs of students so they can succeed. I took unconventional approaches to learning as instilled by mentors throughout my life that greatly increased my ability to learn and comprehend material . I've worked with tutoring students in ACT prep, SAT prep, MCAT prep, IB and AP courses, as well as STEM subjects from elementary school through to college. Recently, I've also tutored for USMLE Step 1 & 2. I also edit and work with students who need tutors for writing and reading comprehension. I have extensive experience in both college and medical school admissions and work yearly with students on essays and applications. I went to high school at the Downingtown STEM Academy and graduated May 2018 from the University of Alabama with a 4.2. I have a BS in Biology with minors in Social Work and Social Welfare. I will be graduating with an MD and MPH in May 2022. I tutor english, math, geometry, algebra, SAT, ACT, MCAT, USMLE chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, and writing along with other subjects. I've worked with rural students in Alabama, students in the Greater Philadelphia area, and students in urban areas. I believe education should be personalized and while schools can't provide this due to lack of resources, tutors are a great substitute for that. Education is the gateway to social mobility and happiness and I seek to prepare my student to meet their individual goals. I work to create an environment where the student can focus on understanding the material for their own understanding and not for others which significantly increases the students confidence in the subject matter and their desire to learn more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Many students struggle with subtraction because it requires understanding that numbers can decrease, which is a different concept from addition. Common challenges include:

  • Regrouping (borrowing): Students often forget to regroup or do it incorrectly when the ones digit in the minuend is smaller than the ones digit in the subtrahend.
  • Negative numbers: Subtracting negative numbers confuses students who haven't internalized that subtracting a negative is the same as adding a positive.
  • Word problems: Identifying when subtraction is needed and setting up the problem correctly trips up many learners.
  • Number sense: Some students don't have a strong intuition for what the answer should be, making it hard to catch their own mistakes.

Personalized tutoring helps students work through each of these challenges at their own pace, building confidence and mastery.

The best subtraction tutors combine subject expertise with the ability to explain concepts in multiple ways. Look for tutors who:

  • Use manipulatives and visual models: Great tutors use number lines, base-ten blocks, area models, and other tools to make subtraction concrete before moving to abstract algorithms.
  • Diagnose underlying gaps: They identify whether a student's struggle is with number sense, place value, regrouping, or something else—then address the root cause.
  • Build number sense first: They help students estimate answers and understand the relationship between addition and subtraction, not just memorize procedures.
  • Adapt to learning style: They recognize that some students learn best through hands-on activities, visual representations, or verbal explanations.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who excel at breaking down subtraction in ways that click for your student.

Most students begin understanding subtraction concepts around age 4-5 through informal activities (like removing objects from a group), but formal instruction typically starts in kindergarten and first grade. The typical progression is:

  • K-1st grade: Subtraction within 10 using objects, fingers, and number lines; understanding "take away" and "difference" meanings.
  • 2nd grade: Subtraction within 20, then within 100 using strategies like counting on, decomposing, and regrouping with two-digit numbers.
  • 3rd-4th grade: Multi-digit subtraction with regrouping; understanding subtraction in context of word problems.
  • 5th+ grade: Subtracting decimals, fractions, and negative numbers as part of broader algebra readiness.

If your student is struggling at any of these levels, a tutor can identify which concepts need reinforcement and help them catch up.

Confidence grows when students experience success and understand why the process works. Here's how personalized tutoring helps:

  • Start where they are: Tutors begin with concepts your student has mastered, then build from there rather than jumping to harder problems.
  • Use multiple strategies: Different approaches work for different people. Tutors teach students to choose the strategy that makes most sense to them.
  • Practice strategically: Rather than drilling random problems, tutors focus on problems that target specific gaps, so improvement feels real and measurable.
  • Celebrate progress: Regular check-ins help students see how far they've come, building both confidence and motivation.

With consistent practice and personalized feedback, most students move from anxiety to competence quickly.

Mental subtraction is a skill that develops when students build strong number sense and learn efficient strategies. Tutors help by:

  • Teaching compensation strategies: For example, to subtract 9, students can subtract 10 and add 1 back—a much easier mental move.
  • Building on number bonds: Students who know that 10 is made of 7 + 3 can quickly figure out 10 - 7 = 3.
  • Using real-world contexts: Making change, calculating time differences, and similar everyday situations make mental subtraction purposeful and practical.
  • Developing automaticity: Through spaced practice, students internalize basic facts (like 15 - 8) so they become automatic, freeing up mental energy for larger problems.

Mental math fluency typically improves significantly when a student works with a tutor who focuses on strategy development rather than just speed.

Word problems require students to translate English into mathematical notation, which is harder than solving a problem already in equation form. Common struggles include:

  • Not recognizing when subtraction is the operation needed (especially when language is indirect, like "How many more?" or "What's left?")
  • Getting confused by extra information or multi-step problems
  • Understanding what the answer represents in context

Tutors help by teaching students to:

  • Identify keywords and translate them systematically (though language varies, so keyword hunting has limits)
  • Draw pictures, make number lines, or act out the problem to visualize what's happening
  • Ask themselves: "What do I know? What am I looking for? What operation makes sense?"
  • Check their answer by asking if it makes sense in the context of the problem

With guided practice, students develop the confidence to tackle word problems independently.

Parents play a crucial role in reinforcing tutoring concepts. Here are evidence-based ways to help:

  • Use daily situations: Practice subtraction naturally through cooking ("We need 3 eggs; we have 5"), playing games, or making change at the store.
  • Ask thinking questions: Instead of telling your student the answer, ask "How could we figure this out?" or "Does that make sense?"
  • Avoid pressure: Research shows that math anxiety can interfere with learning. Keep practice sessions short, positive, and pressure-free.
  • Reinforce tutor strategies: Ask your tutor which strategies they're teaching so you can use the same language and approach at home.
  • Celebrate effort, not just correctness: Praise problem-solving processes and persistence, not just right answers.

When parents and tutors work together with consistent messaging, students typically make faster progress.

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