How to Make subtraction easy for kids

A non-confusing way to subtract

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• pencil and paper

1. Math can be difficult to learn for your young one. If you are subtracting numbers and doing the borrow one from the left and slashing up the problem it can be confusing. Here is a simple way that I learned when I was young.

2. Here is the problem. 36. As can be seen the 6 is smaller than 8.
   -28
   
   First, instead of making slash marks through numbers place a 1 next to the six. This will make the number 6 turn into 16. The 1 that is place above the top number to the right will always be 10+6 or what ever number is there.

3. 
    
   Instructions

   Now that you have done this place a 1 next to the 2. No this is not 12 it is 3. The lower left number will always be 1+2 or any number that is there.
   Now the problem turns into, 3-3 and 16-8. The answer is 8.
   
   I drew out how to do it in paint. I am not an artist so please do not be critical. I have also placed instructions below.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that you always add 10 to the top right and 1 to the lower left. Any time you add a 1 to the top you add a one to the bottom.
• The phrase ADD A 1 ADD A 1 is easy to remember and add 10 to the top and 1 to the bottom.

[lambjohn]

on 10/6/2008 This is so bogus.