Year 3 - Maths
Identify the minuend and subtrahend in column subtraction
Column subtraction
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will identify the minuend and the subtrahend in column subtraction and explain the column subtraction algorithm. They will subtract from a 2-digit number using column subtraction with exchanging.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to identify the minuend and subtrahend in column subtraction.
Key Notes
- The minuend is written first in a column subtraction.
- The subtrahend is written beneath the minuend.
- The difference is recorded underneath the minuend and subtrahend, with the same value digits in the same column.
Vocabulary To Learn
- minuend: The minuend is the number being subtracted from.
- subtrahend: A subtrahend is a number subtracted from another.
- difference: The difference is the result after subtracting one number from another.
- column subtraction: Column subtraction is a way of subtracting numbers by writing a number below another.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may struggle when horizontal calculations do not present the minuend at the beginning of the equation (e.g. 23 = 44 - 21).
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
The minuend is written first in a column subtraction. The subtrahend is written beneath the minuend.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'minuend'
The minuend is the number being subtracted from. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: Pupils may struggle when horizontal calculations do not present the minuend at the beginning of the equation (e.g. 23 = 44 - 21). Correction: Discuss with pupils the minuend as the whole. It is the number being subtracted from. In a column subtraction, we always write the minuend first but it does not always appear first in horizontal calculations.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Make efficient use of subtraction strategies including column subtraction Study Guide
- Subtract from a 2-digit number using column subtraction with regrouping Study Guide
- Subtract from a 3-digit number using column subtraction with regrouping Study Guide
- Use column subtraction to subtract from a 2- or 3-digit number Study Guide
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