Understanding Subtraction Within 10 | 1st Grade Math

Grade 1 Math  ›  Addition & Subtraction  ›  Lesson 7

Grade 1 Math - Addition and Subtraction

Understanding Subtraction Within 10

Learn what subtraction means by taking objects away, finding how many remain, and understanding the difference between a starting amount and the amount left.

This first grade subtraction lesson uses counters, crossed-out pictures, ten-frames, counting back, simple stories, and subtraction sentences to build a clear understanding of subtraction within 10.

Subtraction within 10 Take-away models Ten-frames Counting back Grade 1 subtraction

🎯 What You Will Learn

Understand subtraction
See subtraction as taking objects away and finding how many remain.

Use visual models
Represent subtraction with counters, crossed-out pictures, and ten-frames.

Read subtraction sentences
Connect pictures and take-away stories to equations such as 8 − 3 = 5.

Subtract within 10
Solve subtraction problems with starting numbers up to 10 using concrete models and simple counting-back reasoning.

For parents & teachers — standards alignment: This lesson introduces the subtraction side of CCSS 1.OA.A.1 through simple Take From situations with the result unknown. It also supports CCSS 1.OA.C.5 by connecting subtraction to counting. Work within 10 provides conceptual groundwork for the later fluency expectations of 1.OA.C.6.

🧠 Key Vocabulary

subtraction — an operation used here to find what remains after some are taken away.

minus sign (−) — a symbol that represents subtraction.

difference — the result of a subtraction problem.

remain — to be left after some are taken away.

take away — remove some objects from a group.

equals sign (=) — shows that the value on one side is the same as the value on the other side.

➖ What Does Subtraction Mean?

In this lesson, subtraction means we start with a group, take some away, and find how many remain. Crossed-out objects help us see exactly what was removed and what is still left.

Important idea: Subtraction can describe other relationships too, such as comparing quantities. This first lesson focuses only on the concrete Take From meaning so the action of subtraction is clear.

7 − 2 = 5

1️⃣ Start with the whole group.

2️⃣ Take away or cross out some.

3️⃣ Count how many remain.

✏️ Read a Subtraction Sentence

− minus — subtraction

= equals — same value

The subtraction sentence 8 − 3 = 5 says: “Eight minus three equals five.” The number 5 is the difference.

For young learners: It is fine to use counters, fingers, drawings, or a ten-frame. The goal is to understand what is being taken away and what remains.

🔙 Subtraction and Counting Back

Counting back can help with small subtraction problems. For 7 − 2, start at 7 and count back two numbers: 6, 5. So 7 − 2 = 5.

7 ← 6 ← 5

Common mistake: Do not count the starting number as the first number taken away. For 7 − 2, the two count-back steps are 6 and 5.

🌟 25 Worked Examples

✏️ Try each problem yourself first. Then tap “Show solution” to check your thinking.

1 Take away from a group

There are 7 counters. Take away 2. How many counters remain?

7−2=5

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Start with 7 counters. Cross out 2 counters. Count the counters that are not crossed out: 5. Answer: 7 − 2 = 5.

2 Take away one

What is 6 − 1?

6−1=5

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Start with 6 and take away 1. Five remain. Answer: 6 − 1 = 5.

3 Take away three

What is 8 − 3?

8−3=5

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Start with 8. Take away 3. Count what remains: 5. Answer: 8 − 3 = 5.

4 Take away all

What is 5 − 5?

5−5=0

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If all 5 are taken away, none remain. Answer: 5 − 5 = 0.

5 Take away zero

What is 4 − 0?

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Taking away zero means nothing is removed. The amount stays 4. Answer: 4 − 0 = 4.

6 Use a ten-frame

A ten-frame has 9 counters. Cross out 4. How many remain?

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Nine counters are shown. Four are taken away. Five remain. Answer: 9 − 4 = 5.

7 Write a subtraction sentence

A picture shows 8 counters with 2 crossed out. Write the subtraction sentence.

8−2=6

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The starting amount is 8. Two are removed, leaving 6. Answer: 8 − 2 = 6.

8 Find the difference

Find the difference: 7 − 3.

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The difference is the result of subtraction. Take 3 away from 7. Answer: 4.

9 Read the minus sign

Read 9 − 2 in words.

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The minus sign shows subtraction. Answer: nine minus two.

10 Count back one

What is 8 − 1?

8 ← 7

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Start at 8 and count back 1 number: 7. Answer: 7.

11 Count back two

What is 7 − 2?

7 ← 6 ← 5

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Start at 7 and count back two numbers: 6, 5. Answer: 5.

12 Count back three

What is 9 − 3?

9 ← 8 ← 7 ← 6

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Start at 9 and count back three numbers: 8, 7, 6. Answer: 6.

13 A result of 3

What is 6 − 3?

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Take 3 away from 6. Three remain. Answer: 3.

14 A result of 2

What is 10 − 8?

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Start with 10 and take away 8. Two remain. Answer: 2.

15 Subtract from 10

What is 10 − 4?

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Start with 10 counters. Remove 4. Six remain. Answer: 10 − 4 = 6.

16 Choose the matching equation

A model starts with 6 objects. Two are taken away, leaving 4. Which equation matches: 6 − 2 = 4 or 6 − 2 = 5?

6−2=4

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The model begins with 6 and removes 2. Four remain. Answer: 6 − 2 = 4.

17 A simple take-from story

Lena has 8 stickers. She gives away 3. How many stickers does she have left?

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This is a take-from situation. Start with 8 and take away 3: 8 − 3 = 5. Answer: 5 stickers.

18 Another take-from story

There are 9 birds on a fence. Four fly away. How many birds remain?

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Begin with 9 birds. Four leave, so 9 − 4 = 5. Answer: 5 birds.

19 Subtract zero from ten

What is 10 − 0?

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No counters are removed from 10, so the amount stays the same. Answer: 10 − 0 = 10.

20 Take all from ten

What is 10 − 10?

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Taking all 10 away leaves no counters. Answer: 10 − 10 = 0.

21 Spot the mistake

A student says 7 − 2 = 6. Is that correct?

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No. Start at 7 and take away 2: 7 → 6 → 5. Correct answer: 7 − 2 = 5.

22 Explain what subtraction does

In a take-away situation, what does subtraction help us find?

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Subtraction helps us find how many remain after some are taken away. Answer: the amount left.

23 Match the story to an equation

There are 6 cookies. Two are eaten. Which equation matches: 6 − 2 = 4 or 6 + 2 = 8?

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The story starts with 6 and takes 2 away. Answer: 6 − 2 = 4.

24 Use a picture to check

What is 9 − 5?

9−5=4

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Cross out 5 of the 9 counters. Count the counters left: 4. Answer: 9 − 5 = 4.

25 Challenge within 10

A box has 10 crayons. Seven are taken out. Write a subtraction sentence and find how many crayons remain.

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Start with 10 and take away 7. Three remain. Answer: 10 − 7 = 3.

🎮 Independent Practice — 30 Problems

1. Find the difference: 5 − 1.
2. Find the difference: 6 − 2.
3. Find the difference: 8 − 3.
4. Find the difference: 9 − 4.
5. Find the difference: 10 − 5.
6. Find the difference: 7 − 1.
7. Find the difference: 7 − 4.
8. Find the difference: 10 − 2.
9. Find the difference: 4 − 0.
10. Find the difference: 6 − 6.
11. Complete: 5 − 2 = □.
12. Complete: 8 − 1 = □.
13. Complete: 9 − 6 = □.
14. Complete: 10 − 3 = □.
15. Complete: 4 − 4 = □.
16. Mia has 7 balloons. Two balloons pop. How many balloons are left?
17. Ben has 9 toy cars. He gives away 3. How many toy cars remain?
18. There are 8 ducks in a pond. Five swim away. How many ducks remain?
19. A plate has 6 cookies. One cookie is eaten. How many cookies are left?
20. Which equation matches taking 3 away from 8: 8 − 3 = 5 or 8 + 3 = 11?
21. Which equation is correct: 7 − 5 = 2 or 7 − 5 = 3?
22. True or false: 6 − 2 = 4.
23. True or false: 9 − 3 = 5.
24. Fix the mistake: 8 − 2 = 7.
25. What does the minus sign represent?
26. What is the difference in 7 − 4 = 3?
27. Count back 1 from 9. What number do you get?
28. Count back 2 from 8. What number do you get?
29. Write a subtraction sentence for 10 counters with 4 taken away.
30. Challenge: A shelf has 10 books. Six are removed. How many books remain?

🏆 Lesson Test — 15 Questions

1. Find the difference: 6 − 1.
2. Find the difference: 8 − 2.
3. Find the difference: 10 − 6.
4. Find the difference: 7 − 3.
5. Complete: 9 − 2 = □.
6. Complete: 5 − 5 = □.
7. Zoe has 8 crayons. Three are taken away. How many crayons remain?
8. There are 10 balls. Four roll away. How many balls remain?
9. Which equation is correct: 6 − 4 = 2 or 6 − 4 = 3?
10. True or false: 7 − 2 = 5.
11. Fix the mistake: 9 − 5 = 5.
12. What does the minus sign show?
13. What is the difference in 8 − 3 = 5?
14. Count back 2 from 9. What number do you get?
15. Challenge: A box has 10 counters. Eight are removed. Write the subtraction sentence and total left.

🔐 Complete Answer Key

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Practice Answers

1. 4

2. 4

3. 5

4. 5

5. 5

6. 6

7. 3

8. 8

9. 4

10. 0

11. 3

12. 7

13. 3

14. 7

15. 0

16. 5 balloons

17. 6 toy cars

18. 3 ducks

19. 5 cookies

20. 8 − 3 = 5

21. 7 − 5 = 2

22. True

23. False — 9 − 3 = 6.

24. 8 − 2 = 6.

25. It represents subtraction.

26. 3

27. 8

28. 6

29. 10 − 4 = 6

30. 4 books

🏅 Show test answer key 🙈 Hide test answer key

Test Answers

1. 5

2. 6

3. 4

4. 4

5. 7

6. 0

7. 5 crayons

8. 6 balls

9. 6 − 4 = 2

10. True

11. 9 − 5 = 4.

12. It represents subtraction.

13. 5

14. 7

15. 10 − 8 = 2; 2 counters remain

💡 Common Mistakes to Watch For

Adding instead of taking away
The minus sign tells us that the situation is about subtraction.

Counting crossed-out objects again
After objects are removed, count only the objects that remain.

Counting the starting number as a step
When counting back, begin with the next lower number.

Thinking subtraction must leave something
If every object is taken away, the difference can be 0.

For parents & teachers — Texas connection: TEKS 1.3(B) includes joining, separating, and comparing word problems within 20 represented with objects and pictorial models. This lesson addresses the separating/take-away subset within 10; later MathLattice lessons broaden subtraction strategies and problem structures.

🖨️ Printable Companion

A free Subtraction Within 10 Practice Pack will be connected here as the MathLattice printable library grows. It will include take-away pictures, crossed-out counters, ten-frames, subtraction sentences, simple stories, independent practice, and an answer key.

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