Year 4 - Maths
Review using column subtraction to subtract without regrouping
Review of column addition and 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 revisit column addition with regrouping and column subtraction with exchanging to solve problems.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use column subtraction to subtract from a 2- or 3-digit number.
Key Notes
- Start by subtracting the number with the smallest place value.
- The minuend appears first in a column subtraction.
- The subtrahend is written underneath the minuend.
- Use zero to show where there are no ones, tens or hundreds represented.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Minuend: The minuend is the number being subtracted from.
- Subtrahend: A subtrahend is a number subtracted from another.
- Column subtraction: Column subtraction is a way of subtracting numbers by writing a number below another.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may write the minuend and subtrahend the wrong way around.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
Start by subtracting the number with the smallest place value. The minuend appears first in a column subtraction.
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 write the minuend and subtrahend the wrong way around. Correction: Model setting out column subtraction, starting with the minuend. This can be taught alongside manipulatives such as Base 10 blocks so that pupils understand that the minuend is the number that we start with.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Decide on the most efficient subtraction strategy, including column subtraction Study Guide
- Review adding 2-digit numbers using column addition without regrouping Study Guide
- Review adding 3-digit numbers using column addition without regrouping Study Guide
- Review and use knowledge of place value to correctly lay out column addition Study Guide
- Review column addition and identify the addends and sum Study Guide
- Review identifying the minuend and subtrahend in column subtraction Study Guide
- Review using column addition to add 2- and 3-digit numbers by regrouping ones Study Guide
- Review using column addition to add 2- and 3-digit numbers by regrouping tens Study Guide
- Review using column addition with regrouping in the ones and tens columns Study Guide
- Review using column subtraction with regrouping from hundreds to tens Study Guide
- Review using column subtraction with regrouping from tens to ones Study Guide
- Review using known facts and strategies to accurately and efficiently use and check column addition Study Guide
- Use column addition to solve problems in different contexts Study Guide
- Use knowledge of column addition to solve problems in a range of contexts Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 4 Maths guide library.