Make a Number Line to Subtract — Let's Practise!
- Using a Number Line to Subtract – Introduction
- What Does it Mean to Use a Number Line to Subtract?
- Using a Number Line to Subtract – Example
- Using a Number Line to Subtract – Guided Practice
- Using a Number Line to Subtract – Application
- Using a Number Line to Subtract – Examples
- Using a Number Line to Subtract – Summary
- Using a Number Line to Subtract – Frequently Asked Questions
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Basics on the topic Make a Number Line to Subtract — Let's Practise!
Using a Number Line to Subtract – Introduction
Get ready because today we're going to practise using a number line to subtract. It’s a great tool to help understand subtraction better. Ready to begin? Let's go!
What Does it Mean to Use a Number Line to Subtract?
Using a number line to subtract means starting with the larger number on the right side of the line and counting back by small amounts to find the answer.
For example, if you have the problem 30 - 12, you start at 30 on the number line and count back 12 steps to find the answer. Let’s practise this with some fun problems!
Using a Number Line to Subtract – Example
Let's solve a problem using a number line to subtract:
Problem
If Emily has 30 seeds but only needs 12, how many will she have left?
Solution
Follow these simple steps to find the solution.
| Step | Explanation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Start at 30 on the number line | Place 30 on the right end | 30 |
| Count back 12 steps | Move 12 steps to the left | 18 |
So, 30 minus 12 equals 18! Emily will have 18 seeds left.
Using a Number Line to Subtract – Guided Practice
Let's try another problem together.
Problem
If Noah has 46 sticks but only needs 20, how many will he have left?
So, 46 minus 20 equals 26! Noah will have 26 sticks left.
Using a Number Line to Subtract – Application
Now, try solving this problem on your own:
Problem If Liam has 60 nails but only needs 28, how many will he have left?
So, 60 minus 28 equals 32! Liam will have 32 nails left.
Using a Number Line to Subtract – Examples
To help yourself in becoming fluent in using a number line to subtract, have a look at some more examples and complete them by following the steps.
| Problem | Start at | Count Back | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 - 12 | 30 | 12 steps | 18 |
| 46 - 20 | 46 | 20 steps | 26 |
| 60 - 28 | 60 | 28 steps | 32 |
| 50 - 15 | 50 | 15 steps | 35 |
Using a Number Line to Subtract – Summary
Key Learnings from this Text:
- Using a number line to subtract helps us understand subtraction by visualising it on a number line.
- Always start with the larger number on the right side of the number line.
- Count back by the smaller number to find the answer.
Keep practising using a number line to subtract to become a maths whiz! Check out more fun maths problems and activities on our website, such as subtraction by adjusting numbers, subtraction by counting on or using place value to subtract.
Using a Number Line to Subtract – Frequently Asked Questions
Make a Number Line to Subtract — Let's Practise! exercise
-
Can you use the number line to subtract?
HintsCount back small amounts of the smaller number, 14. 14 can be broken up into a group of 10 and 4 ones.
Start by subtracting 10 from 40.
Solution40 - 14 = 26
- Start by putting the larger number, 40, on the right.
- Count back small amounts of the smaller number, 14.
- 14 can be broken up into a group of 10 and 4 ones.
- 40 - 10 = 30
- 30 - 4 = 26
-
How do we subtract 43 - 16 on a number line?
HintsShould you start with the larger number, 43, or the smaller number, 16, on the number line?
Before you count back, what do you need to do?
SolutionHere are the steps for subtracting using a number line:
- Start by putting the larger number, 43, on the right.
- Break 16 into one group of ten and 6 ones.
- Count back 10 from 43 to get 33. 43 - 10 = 33
- Count back six ones from 33 to get 27. 33 - 6 = 27
- Therefore 43 - 16 = 27
-
How many seeds will Mr. Squeaks have left?
HintsCount back small amounts of the smaller number, 36.
36 can be broken up into 30, 5 and 1.
Start by subtracting 30 from 80, what do you get? Fill this in and continue subtracting.
Solution80 - 36 = 44
- Start by putting the larger number, 80, on the right.
- Count back small amounts of the smaller number, 36.
- 36 can be broken up into 30 and 6.
- 80 - 30 = 50
- 50 - 5 = 45
- 45 - 1 = 44
-
How many spare stickers does Mr. Squeaks have?
HintsCount back small amounts of the smaller number, 29. 29 can be broken up into 20, 5 and 4 ones.
Start by subtracting 20 from 100. Continue subtracting small amounts.
Solution100 - 29 = 71
- Start by putting the larger number, 100, on the right.
- Count back small amounts of the smaller number, 29.
- 29 can be broken up into 20 and 9. 9 can be further broken into 5 and four ones.
- 100 - 20 = 80
- 80 - 5 = 75
- 75 - 4 = 71
-
Can you help Razzi subtract?
HintsWe can split 20 into two tens, so start by subtracting 10 from 26. What do you get?
Then subtract 10 again. What is the answer?
Solution26 - 20 = 6
- Start by putting the larger number, 26, on the right.
- Count back small amounts of the smaller number, 20.
- 20 can be broken up into two groups of 10.
- 26 - 10 = 16
- 16 - 10 = 6
-
How many nails does Razzi have left?
Hints27 can be broken up into 20 and 7.
To get from 40 to 20, what do you subtract?
Continue subtracting from 20 to reach the final answer.
Solution40 - 27 - 3 = 10
- Start by putting the larger number, 40, on the right.
- Count back small amounts of the smaller number, 27.
- 27 can be broken up into 20 and 7. 7 can be broken into 5 and 2.
- 40 - 20 = 20
- 20 - 5 = 15
- 15 - 2 = 13
- 13 - 3 = 10
