Subtraction

In this chapter, the students will learn about subtraction between numbers. They will learn about the term minuend, subtrahend, subtraction symbol, and difference.

In this learning concept, the students will learn:

• 2-digit subtraction with regrouping
• Horizontal subtraction
• Vertical subtraction

Each concept is explained to class 2 maths students using illustrations, examples, and mind maps. You can assess your learning by solving the two printable worksheets at the pages' end.
Download the worksheets and check the solutions for the concept of subtraction for class 2 provided in PDF format.

Subtraction - To find difference we do subtraction.

 

Subtraction Terms

• Minuend: The number from which the other number subtracted
• Subtrahend: The number which is subtracted
• − (Minus): Subtraction sign
• Difference: Answer after doing subtraction

Example:

We have learned the subtraction of single digit numbers. Now, we will learn the subtraction of the two-digit numbers.

 

Concept of the subtraction:

Example:

There are 26 matchsticks and we need to subtract 15 matchsticks from it.

Two bundles of ten matchsticks represent the 2 tens and six individual matchsticks represent 6 ones. It makes number 26.

One bundle of ten matchsticks will represent the 1 ten and four individual matchsticks will represent 4 ones. It will make number 14.

So, from the six individual matchsticks remove the four matchsticks.

From two bundles of matchsticks remove one bundle of matchsticks.

One bundle of ten matchsticks represents the 1 ten and two individual matchsticks represent 2 ones. It makes number 12.

So, subtracting the number 14 from 26 will get the difference as:

26 – 14 = 12

Here we do the subtraction between individual matchsticks and bundles of matchsticks separately.

We use the same technique for the subtraction of the two-digits numbers.

Note: Always starts subtraction from ones place (From right to left)

 

Representation of the Subtraction

• Horizontal Subtraction:

  Step 1: Write the numbers horizontally connected with minus sign.

  Step 2: Subtract the ones place numbers.

  Step 3: Subtract the tens place numbers.

  Example:

  
  

  Step 1: Write the numbers horizontally.

  
  

  Step 2: Subtract the ones place numbers.

  Here, the minuend at ones place is 7, and in the subtrahend at ones place is 1. Subtract 1 from 7 and write the difference.

  
  

  Step 3: Subtract the tens place numbers.

  Here, the minuend at tens place is 4, and subtrahend at tens place is 2.

  Subtract 2 from 4 and write the difference at the tens place.

  
  

  So, we get:

  

 

• Vertical Subtraction:

  (To do vertical subtraction we use place value tables.)

  Step 1: Write the numbers in place value tables correctly.

  Step 2: Do the subtraction of the ones place numbers.

  Step 3: Do the subtraction of the tens place numbers.

  Example:

  
  

  
  Step 1: Write the numbers in place value tables correctly. On the write side, the representation of the numbers is shown.

  
  

  
  Step 2: Do the subtraction of the ones place numbers.

  Subtract 5 from 8. Remove the 5 flowers from 8 individual flowers.

  
  

  
  Step 3: Do the subtraction of the tens place numbers.

  Subtract 2 from 6. Remove 2 bundles from the 6 bundles.

  
  

  So, we get

  

 

2- Digit Subtraction with Regrouping

Example:

Step 1: Write the numbers in place value tables correctly.

Step 2: Do the subtraction of the ones place numbers.

In the minuend, ones place number is 2, and in the subtrahend ones place number is 8. We need to subtract 8 from 2. We need to remove 8 individual flowers but we have only 2 individual flowers. (We can’t subtract a smaller number from a bigger one.) So, we need to borrow some flowers from tens place. Add one more row above the minuend.

Step 3: Borrow 1 ten from 4 tens. It will make 10 individual flowers at the ones place. So, there are total 12 individual flowers. And there are 3 tens remaining.

Write 3 tens at the tens place and 12 ones at the ones place.

Step 4: Do the subtraction of the ones place numbers.

Remove 8 flowers from 12 individual flowers.

Step 5: Do the subtraction of the tens place numbers.

Now, there are 3 tens. Remove 1 ten from 3 tens.

So, we get

 

Misconception in Subtraction:

• Be careful while writing the numbers in the place value table.
• Always write the one-digit number in ones place.
• Never subtract the minuend ones place number from the subtrahend ones place number.
• After regrouping, don’t subtract the subtrahend tens-place number from the minuend previous tens-place number.