Subtraction strategies
Lesson 7 of 12
Counting on to subtract
Objective. Find a difference by counting on from the smaller number.
The key idea
Subtraction can mean 'how far apart are these numbers?'. When the numbers are close, counting on from the smaller one is faster than taking away.
Worked example
Work out 62 − 58.
- 1Start at 58.
- 2Count on 2 to reach 60.
- 3Count on 2 more to reach 62. Total counted on: 4.
Answer: 4
Practice
Each question comes with a picture and a listen button. Try it first, then reveal the answer.
Common mistake. Counting the starting number itself as one of the steps.
Your progress
Tick each step as you finish it — Continue brings you back here.
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