Year 6 - Maths
Explain how increasing or decreasing the minuend affects the difference
Use equivalence and compensation to simplify and solve subtraction problems
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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 explain how increasing or decreasing the minuend affects the difference and solve subtraction calculations mentally by using known facts explaining how adjusting the minuend can make mental calculation easier.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how increasing or decreasing the minuend affects the difference.
Key Notes
- If I increase the minuend, the difference increases by the same amount.
- If I decrease the minuend, the difference decreases by the same amount.
- A number line can be used to represent the change in the minuend.
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.
- Constant: A constant is a quantity that has a fixed value that does not change or vary, such as a number.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Children might struggle to describe the changes accurately using mathematical language.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
If I increase the minuend, the difference increases by the same amount. If I decrease the minuend, the difference decreases by the same amount.
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: Children might struggle to describe the changes accurately using mathematical language. Correction: Make good use of your learning walls here to display the key vocabulary and stem sentences for the children to use for the description of the changes in the equations.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Calculate the difference using knowledge of an adjusted subtrahend: difference structure Study Guide
- Explain and represent constant difference for subtraction Study Guide
- Explain how adjusting the minuend can make mental calculation easier Study Guide
- Explain how adjusting the subtrahend affects the difference: partitioning Study Guide
- Explain how adjusting the subtrahend affects the difference: reduction structure Study Guide
- Explain how constant difference can make written calculations more efficient Study Guide
- Solve subtraction calculations mentally by using known facts Study Guide
- Use constant difference to balance equations and find unknowns Study Guide
- Use equivalence and compensation strategies to solve subtraction problems in a range of contexts Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 6 Maths guide library.