Subtraction within 20 can be understood as removing a quantity from a starting amount: begin at the minuend and count backward one number for each unit in the subtrahend, with the endpoint representing the difference. A number line makes the starting point, direction, and number of steps visible and helps prevent counting the starting number as a step; this understanding does not extend here to larger numbers, multi-digit subtraction, or formal algorithms.
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- Download (or modify) a free worksheet on Use counting back to subtract you can use at home or in class with practice problems that scaffold and explore “Use counting back to subtract” from different perspectives.
- Start working on adaptive units like “Picture Numbers - Addition and Subtraction” or “Addition and Subtraction of Integers - 1 and 2 Digit” that introduce, teach, or practice “Use counting back to subtract” to maximize your learning.
Detailed Explanation: Use counting back to subtract
Subtraction means taking away. To subtract by counting back:
- Start at the first number.
- Count backward one number for each number you subtract.
- The number where you stop is the answer.
Example: Find .
Start at on a number line. Count back steps:
The four steps are:
- Step 1: to
- Step 2: to
- Step 3: to
- Step 4: to
You stop at , so:
Remember: Do not count as the first step. Start at , then move backward.
Learn by doing: Use counting back to subtract
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Subtraction - Whole Number - Within 20
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Download/Modify Free Grade 1 'Use counting back to subtract' Worksheet
Print this free 'Use counting back to subtract' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.
This Worksheet Includes:
- Subtraction - Whole Number - Within 20
- Count Backwards by 1s - Within 20
- Subtraction - Whole Number - Subtract 1
- Picture Numbers - Subtracting - Picture and Instruction to Number (Within 5)
- Picture Numbers - Subtracting - Picture and Instruction to Number (Within 20)
- Picture Numbers - Subtracting - Picture to Word (Within 10)
- Number Line - Subtraction Positive Integers, Movement Image to Equation
- Picture Numbers - Subtracting - Picture and Instruction to Equation
Units Teaching This Skill
These adaptive units introduce, teach, or reinforce this skill (Use counting back to subtract) through scaffolded problems that grow in difficulty as concepts are understood.