To separate or take away one number from another, or to decrease an amount.

The symbol in an equation which shows that a number has been partitioned, taken away or decreased.

Partition a whole into two parts and write as a subtraction equation

Maths

In this unit pupils will combine 2 or more parts to make a whole. They will learn addends are represented in any order and the = sign shows the whole and sum of the parts are equal. In the future unit pupils will find missing addends. They will partition a whole into 2 parts representing first, then, now stories with subtraction equations. They will learn + and - are inverse operations.

In prior learning, pupils will have learnt to count confidently and have developed a deep understanding of the numbers to 10, the relationships between them and the patterns within those numbers. In this unit pupils will combine two parts to make a whole, learn that addends are represented in any order and learn that the equals sign shows that the whole and the sum of the parts are equal.

Additive structures: addition

Look at the picture. How many dogs are to be subtracted from the whole? 

Use the picture to complete the equation 7 – 3 = _

There are 8 teddies. 2 belong to Izzy, and 6 do not belong to Izzy. Which pictures could represent this story? 

Look at the picture and say whether the following is true or false. 2 is the whole. 

Izzy has 10 cubes altogether. How many are hidden under the pot? Complete the equation to show how many are hiding under the pot.   8 +___= 10

Match the equation to the correct addend to complete the equation correctly. 

Use the number pattern to fill in the missing part. 

Jun wants to balance these scales so both sides are equal. What number will he have to write in the triangle? 

Izzy has 8 pennies altogether. She has 2 in one pocket. Complete the equation to show how many she has in the other pocket?  _ + 2 = 8

5 birds are on the branch and the rest are hidden. There are fewer than 7 birds altogether. Which of these numbers must be the missing part?    _ + 5 

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Partition a whole into two parts and write as a subtraction equation

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.