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Use the additive relationship to rearrange subtraction equations

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can rearrange subtraction equations.

Key learning points

  1. Equations can be represented using part-part-whole or bar models.
  2. The subtrahend and difference are parts and the minuend is the whole.
  3. Subtraction equations can start with the minuend or the difference.

Keywords

  • 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 misconception

Pupils may find it more challenging to use equations starting with the difference, or may make mistakes writing these.

Emphasise the need for balance in equations. Both sides of the equation must be equal. Equations can start with the minuend or the difference.

Teacher tip

Subtraction equations can be represented using tens frames. Counters of different colours can show the subtrahend and difference. Pupils should learn that the subtrahend and difference in an equation can be changed over as they are both parts.

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

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What is 33 − 10 =

Correct Answer: 23, twenty-three

Q2.
What is 400 − 100 =

Correct Answer: 300, three hundred

Q3.
Which number in the bar model represents the whole?

An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 25
17
8

Q4.
What is 130 − 40?

70
80
Correct answer: 90
100

Q5.
Which numbers could complete the bar model?

An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 30 and 30
Correct answer: 25 and 35
20 and 45
Correct answer: 10 and 50

Q6.
Which equations are equal to 50?

70 − 10 =
Correct answer: 25 + 25 =
Correct answer: 100 − 50 =
20 + 20 + 20 =

6 Questions

Q1.
Which number is the minuend in this equation: 55 − 20 = 35

Correct answer: 55
35
20

Q2.
What is the difference between 11 and 9?

Correct Answer: 2, two

Q3.
Which equations are represented by the bar model?

An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 44 − 20 = 24
24 − 44 = 20
Correct answer: 20 = 44 − 24
44 = 24 − 20

Q4.
Look at the bar model. What part is missing?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 5, five

Q5.
Izzy writes subtraction equations represented by the bar model. Which equation is NOT correct?

An image in a quiz
60 − 32 = 28
32 = 60 − 28
28 = 60 − 32
Correct answer: 32 − 28 = 60

Q6.
Match up the addition and subtraction equations.

Correct Answer:20 + 8 = 28,28 − 8 = 20

28 − 8 = 20

Correct Answer:4 + 24 = 28,28 − 4 = 24

28 − 4 = 24

Correct Answer:24 = 20 + 4,24 − 4 = 20

24 − 4 = 20

Correct Answer:28 = 14 + 14,28 − 14 = 14

28 − 14 = 14


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