Subtraction within 20: No Regrouping

Free sample questions, a clear explanation, and 5 practice skills with an AI tutor that guides without giving the answer away.

The Great Take-Away Adventure! 🍪

Hi, superstar! Have you ever had a big plate of yummy cookies? Imagine you baked 17 chocolate chip cookies. That's one full ten-frame and 7 extra cookies! Your friend comes over, and you give them 5. How many are left for you?

That's what subtraction is all about! It's just a fancy word for "taking away." When we do subtraction like 17 - 5, we're finding out how much is left after some have gone. It's not about magic, it's about math!

🚀 A Super Subtraction Secret!

When we subtract a small number from a bigger number (like 18 - 4), we can just look at the ones place! We have 8 ones and we take away 4 ones. We know 8 - 4 = 4. So, 18 - 4 is 14! The ten stays the same!

Choose Your Subtraction Superpower!

There are many cool ways to solve a subtraction problem. You can pick the one that feels best for you!

🎨
Draw a Picture: Use ten frames! Draw 19 dots. To subtract 6, just cross out 6 of the dots. Count how many are left. Easy peasy!
🧠
Use Your Brainpower: Think about the number 15 - 2. Focus on the ones: 5 - 2 = 3. So the answer is 13! Your brain is a super-fast calculator.
🎲
Use Your Toys: Grab 16 blocks or LEGOs. Take 3 away. How many do you have now? This is a great way to see the math happen right in front of you!

Let's Try a Story! 📖

Maya sees 18 butterflies in her garden. Then, 7 butterflies fly away. How many butterflies are left in the garden?
(Try solving it with your favorite superpower!)

You are doing an amazing job learning how to take away. Keep practicing, and you'll be a subtraction master in no time!

Sample questions

1. You have 12 yummy apples. You eat 2 of them. How many apples are left?

○ 14

✓ 10

○ 11

○ 13

Answer: 10 — Imagine 12 apples. Take away 2. Count what is left.

2. There are 15 colorful balloons. 4 balloons fly away. How many balloons are still there?

○ 10

○ 19

✓ 11

○ 12

Answer: 11 — Start at 15 and count back 4 steps.

3. Mia has 18 toy cars. She gives 5 cars to her friend. How many toy cars does Mia have now?

○ 12

○ 23

○ 14

✓ 13

Answer: 13 — Think about 18 blocks. Remove 5 blocks. How many are left?

Skills in this topic

Subtract a one-digit number from a two-digit number (up to 20) without regrouping, using concrete objects.
Subtract numbers within 20 (no regrouping) using pictorial representations (e.g., crossing out on ten frames).
Solve subtraction equations within 20 (no regrouping) using mental strategies.
Apply subtraction strategies to solve simple one-step word problems within 20 (no regrouping).
Evaluate different ways to solve a subtraction problem within 20 without regrouping, justifying the chosen method.

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