Mathematics is full of exciting terms, and two important words in subtraction are minuend and subtrahend. These words may sound tricky, but they are actually very simple to understand.
In this topic, kids will learn:
✔ What minuend and subtrahend mean.
✔ How to use them in subtraction.
✔ Fun examples to make learning easy.
✔ Tips and tricks to remember these terms.
Let’s dive in and explore the world of subtraction in a fun way!
1. Understanding Subtraction
Before learning about minuend and subtrahend, let’s quickly understand subtraction.
Subtraction is taking away one number from another. The result of subtraction is called the difference.
For example:
8 – 3 = 5
Here, we are taking away 3 from 8, and the answer is 5.
2. What Is a Minuend?
The minuend is the number from which another number is subtracted.
In simple words, the minuend is the bigger number that we start with in a subtraction problem.
For example:
10 – 4 = 6
✔ Here, 10 is the minuend because we are subtracting from it.
Examples of Minuend
- 15 – 7 = 8 → Minuend = 15
- 20 – 5 = 15 → Minuend = 20
- 50 – 30 = 20 → Minuend = 50
3. What Is a Subtrahend?
The subtrahend is the number that is being subtracted.
It is the smaller number that we take away from the minuend.
For example:
12 – 5 = 7
✔ Here, 5 is the subtrahend because it is being subtracted from 12.
Examples of Subtrahend
- 18 – 6 = 12 → Subtrahend = 6
- 25 – 10 = 15 → Subtrahend = 10
- 40 – 20 = 20 → Subtrahend = 20
4. What Is the Difference?
After subtracting the subtrahend from the minuend, we get the difference.
For example:
9 – 4 = 5
✔ Here, 5 is the difference because it is the answer.
Examples of Difference
- 14 – 3 = 11 → Difference = 11
- 30 – 10 = 20 → Difference = 20
- 100 – 50 = 50 → Difference = 50
5. Identifying Minuend, Subtrahend, and Difference
Let’s look at an example and label the parts of subtraction:
Example: 23 – 8 = 15
✔ Minuend = 23 (the number we start with)
✔ Subtrahend = 8 (the number we subtract)
✔ Difference = 15 (the answer)
Another example:
45 – 20 = 25
✔ Minuend = 45
✔ Subtrahend = 20
✔ Difference = 25
6. Fun Trick to Remember Minuend and Subtrahend
Kids often confuse these two words. Here are some fun tricks to help remember them:
✅ “M” for Minuend = “Main number” (the big number we start with).
✅ “S” for Subtrahend = “Smaller number” (the number we subtract).
✅ Think of a submarine (“sub”) going down → Subtrahend makes the number smaller!
7. Practice Questions for Kids
Let’s try some fun subtraction problems. Can you find the minuend, subtrahend, and difference?
1️⃣ 35 – 10 = ?
2️⃣ 50 – 25 = ?
3️⃣ 90 – 45 = ?
4️⃣ 27 – 12 = ?
5️⃣ 60 – 30 = ?
✔ Check your answers:
- Minuend = 35, Subtrahend = 10, Difference = 25
- Minuend = 50, Subtrahend = 25, Difference = 25
- Minuend = 90, Subtrahend = 45, Difference = 45
- Minuend = 27, Subtrahend = 12, Difference = 15
- Minuend = 60, Subtrahend = 30, Difference = 30
8. Real-Life Examples of Minuend and Subtrahend
Subtraction is everywhere in daily life! Here are some examples:
✔ Shopping: If you have $20 and spend $5, the money left is $15.
✔ Counting toys: If you have 10 toys and give 4 to a friend, you have 6 left.
✔ Apples in a basket: If there are 12 apples and you eat 3, you have 9 left.
These examples show how subtraction helps us in real situations!
9. Why Is Learning Minuend and Subtrahend Important?
Understanding these terms helps kids:
✔ Improve their math skills.
✔ Solve subtraction problems faster.
✔ Build a strong foundation for advanced math.
✔ Feel more confident in school.
10. Fun Activities to Learn Subtraction
Learning should be fun! Here are some activities to make subtraction easy:
🎲 Use Counters or Beads → Take 10 beads, remove 3, and count the remaining.
📝 Draw and Subtract → Draw 8 apples, cross out 2, and see how many are left.
🎮 Play Online Subtraction Games → Many math apps make learning subtraction exciting!
Now you know that:
✔ Minuend is the number we subtract from.
✔ Subtrahend is the number we take away.
✔ Difference is the final answer after subtraction.
Subtraction is an important part of math that we use in everyday life. By practicing regularly, kids can become subtraction experts! Keep learning and have fun with math! 😊