Subtraction within 10, step by step

Subtraction within 10 turns taking away into a set of facts children can recognize quickly.

The question

10 − 9

109
100=10
9=0+9
109=1
  1. 10 − 9. The ones cannot cover it — 0 is less than 9 — so drop to the ten below first.
  2. 10 − 0 = 10. That used 0 of the 9, leaving 9 still to take.
  3. Then the rest off the ten: 10 − 9 = 1.

How it works.

  1. 01

    10 − 9. The ones cannot cover it — 0 is less than 9 — so drop to the ten below first.

  2. 02

    10 − 0 = 10. That used 0 of the 9, leaving 9 still to take.

  3. 03

    Then the rest off the ten: 10 − 9 = 1.