Solve Subtraction Word Problems

This activity is about changing a story into maths.

Look at the ladybirds on this plant.

Count them.

There are 12 ladybirds.

Now look at this picture.

4 ladybirds have flown away.

How many are left on the plant?

8 are left on the plant.

We started with 12 and 4 flew away.

In maths, this can be written as:

12 - 4

Now we can see that 12 - 4 = 8

So 8 are left on the plant.

12 - 4 = 8   tells the story of how many ladybirds are left on the plant.

Can you make a maths story out of something you see today?

Maybe a flock of sheep or a basket of vegetables? Anything that you can count in fact!

Good luck!