Year 3 - Maths
Subtracting small numbers
Review strategies for adding and subtracting across 10
Study Hub
Study Guides
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 be reviewing and securing previous knowledge of adding 3 addends, understanding they can be added in any order and combined in different ways to bridge through 10
Lesson Summary
You will learn to subtract numbers below 10 using efficient strategies.
Key Notes
- When the subtrahend is bigger than the ones value of the minuend, we will have to bridge through 10
- Composition of numbers to 10 allows us to partition numbers when we are subtracting.
- Composition of numbers to 10 allows us to bridge through ten when subtracting.
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.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Difference can only be found by counting back.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
When the subtrahend is bigger than the ones value of the minuend, we will have to bridge through 10. Composition of numbers to 10 allows us to partition numbers when we are subtracting.
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: Difference can only be found by counting back. Correction: Difference can be calculated by subtracting the subtrahend from the minuend or by counting between the subtrahend and the minuend.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Add 3 numbers together in different contexts Study Guide
- Add 3 numbers together using doubles and near doubles Study Guide
- Add three addends by finding pairs that total 10 Study Guide
- Add three addends efficiently using a range of strategies Study Guide
- Addition by bridging through 10 Study Guide
- Numbers can be added in any order Study Guide
- Solving problems involving addition and subtraction Study Guide
- Subtracting numbers that bridge through 10 Study Guide
- Subtracting to and from 10 Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 3 Maths guide library.