Stage 2 · Add & subtract strategies
Subtracting through ten
Take it down to 10, then take the rest.
How to do it
Method
Take it down to 10, then take the rest
15 − 8 = 15 − 5 − 3 = 10 − 3 = 7
Another way
Take from the ten
10 − 8 = 2, 2 + 5 = 7
In full
15 − 8: drop to ten first, 15 − 5 = 10, then take the remaining 3 → 7. Or flip it: 'eight plus what makes fifteen?' Or take it from the ten: 10 − 8 = 2, 2 + 5 = 7; on paper it's column subtraction with a borrow. They all give the same answer — use whichever is quickest.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
12 − 3
Show the answer and working
Answer: 12 − 3 = 9
Take away down to ten first: 12 − 2 = 10, then 1 more, 10 − 1 = 9
Example 2
11 − 8
Show the answer and working
Answer: 11 − 8 = 3
Take away down to ten first: 11 − 1 = 10, then 7 more, 10 − 7 = 3
Example 3
11 − 3
Show the answer and working
Answer: 11 − 3 = 8
Take away down to ten first: 11 − 1 = 10, then 2 more, 10 − 2 = 8
Example 4
17 − 8
Show the answer and working
Answer: 17 − 8 = 9
Take away down to ten first: 17 − 7 = 10, then 1 more, 10 − 1 = 9
Practise subtracting through ten in the game →Stage 2 · Add & subtract strategies · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download