Skill: Create a story for a subtraction equation

A subtraction story tells about a starting amount, some being taken away or compared, and the amount left or the difference.

For the equation

$$12-5=7$$

• $12$ is the starting amount.
• $5$ is the amount taken away.
• $7$ is the amount left.

Step 1: Choose something familiar.
Use apples.

Step 2: Write the starting amount.
There are $12$ apples.

Step 3: Show what is taken away.
Someone takes away $5$ apples.

Step 4: Ask how many are left.
A matching story is:

There are $12$ apples in a basket. Someone takes away $5$ apples. How many apples are left?

We can check the story with a drawing:

$$\underbrace{\boxed{5}}_{\text{taken away}}+\underbrace{\boxed{7}}_{\text{left}}=\boxed{12}$$

So the equation is

$$12-5=7.$$

The story matches because it starts with $12$, takes away $5$, and leaves $7$.