Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Solve problems involving subtraction of two-digit numbers

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can solve problems involving subtraction of two-digit numbers that do not cross the tens boundary.

      Key learning points

      1. When subtracting a 2-digit number, the known part can be partitioned to subtract the tens and the ones separately.
      2. Partitioning both the whole and the parts when subtracting gives an correct answer when the ones digits bridge 10
      3. The tens and ones can be subtracted in any order and the remaining part will stay the same.

      Keywords

      • Partition - To split a whole up into parts - a piece or section of a whole.

      • Part - A piece or section of a whole.

      Common misconception

      Children may think that, when partitioned, the tens and ones must be subtracted in the same order as they occur in the two-digit number, e.g. that to subtract 34, you must subtract 30, then 4

      Explore subtracting tens and ones in any order at this point, looking at the result of this and considering which they find easier.

      Teacher tip

      Although we encourage children to choose to subtract in any order to work efficiently here, it is important that they realise when decreasing an amount, the order can be important to the story - this understanding will support when solving two-step problems in the future.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the expressions that have the same value.

      Correct Answer:65 − 30 − 2,65 − 32

      65 − 32

      Correct Answer:74 − 4 − 40,74 − 44

      74 − 44

      Correct Answer:26 − 3 − 10,26 − 13

      26 − 13

      Q2.
      Which number is missing in the equation? 89 − 28 = 89 − 8 −

      Correct Answer: 20

      Q3.
      Which equation is represented by the number line?

      An image in a quiz
      76 − 23 = 44
      Correct answer: 76 − 32 = 44
      76 − 46 = 44

      Q4.
      Find the missing part in the bar model.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 22

      Q5.
      How many tens are in the missing part? 95 − _2 = 23

      6 tens
      Correct answer: 7 tens
      8 tens

      Q6.
      Find the missing part. 67 − = 34

      Correct Answer: 33

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which bar model represents the problem shown? First, there were 47 cows in the field. Then, 3 left, then 20 more left. How many cows are left in the field now?

      Correct answer: A
      B
      Correct answer: C

      Q2.
      Which number line represents what has happened in the problem? First, there were 87 sheep in the field. Then, 5 left, then 20 more left. How many cows are left in the field now?

      A
      Correct answer: B
      Correct answer: C

      Q3.
      Izzy had 56 p and spent 25 p. How much money does she have left? Use the coins shown to help you find out.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: 31 p
      21 p
      16 p

      Q4.
      Which number line represents what has happened in the problem? I had 69 sweets in my bag. 34 were gobstoppers and the rest were bon-bons. How many were bon-bons?

      A
      Correct answer: B
      C

      Q5.
      Andeep counts 87 minibeasts in the garden. 35 were ants and the rest were woodlice. How many woodlice were there? Which equation would solve this problem?

      Correct answer: 87 − 35 = 52
      Correct answer: 87 − 5 − 30 = 52
      87 − 3 − 5 = 79

      Q6.
      There are 86 crows on the farmer’s field and 53 fly away. How many crows are left? Write the equation to solve this problem.

      Correct Answer: 86 − 53 = 33, 86 − 50 − 3 = 33, 86 − 3 − 50 = 33

      To help you plan your 2 maths lesson on: Solve problems involving subtraction of two-digit numbers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...