Year 1 Maths: Subtract with Cubes – Numbers Up to 10

Introduction to Subtraction with Cubes

Hello, young mathematicians! Today, we are going to learn how to subtract using cubes. Subtraction means taking away. When we subtract, we start with a big number and take some away to find out how many are left.

What are Cubes?

Cubes are little blocks that help us see numbers. Imagine you have some colourful blocks. Each cube can represent one number. If you have 5 cubes, that means you have the number 5!

How to Subtract with Cubes

1. Start with your cubes: Count how many blocks you have.
2. Take some away: If you need to subtract, take away the number of cubes you want.
3. Count what’s left: After taking some away, count how many cubes are still there.

Example

Let’s say you have 7 cubes and you want to subtract 3 cubes. Here’s how you do it:

• Start with 7 cubes: 🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦
• Take away 3 cubes: 🟦🟦🟦 (this is what we take away)
• Now count how many are left: 🟦🟦🟦 (you have 4 cubes left)

So, 7 – 3 = 4!

Key Rules for Subtraction

1. Always take away from the bigger number.
2. Count carefully to see how many cubes you have left.
3. Practice makes perfect! The more you subtract, the better you’ll get.

Tips and Tricks

• Use different colours for your cubes. This makes it more fun!
• If you get stuck, count the cubes again.
• You can draw your cubes if you don’t have any. Just make little squares!

Questions

Easy Level Questions

1. 5 – 2 = ?
2. 6 – 1 = ?
3. 4 – 3 = ?
4. 3 – 2 = ?
5. 7 – 4 = ?
6. 8 – 5 = ?
7. 2 – 1 = ?
8. 9 – 6 = ?
9. 1 – 1 = ?
10. 10 – 7 = ?
11. 5 – 0 = ?
12. 3 – 1 = ?
13. 6 – 2 = ?
14. 4 – 1 = ?
15. 2 – 0 = ?
16. 8 – 3 = ?
17. 9 – 4 = ?
18. 7 – 5 = ?
19. 5 – 1 = ?
20. 4 – 2 = ?

Medium Level Questions

1. 7 – 3 = ?
2. 8 – 2 = ?
3. 6 – 4 = ?
4. 10 – 5 = ?
5. 9 – 3 = ?
6. 5 – 2 = ?
7. 8 – 6 = ?
8. 7 – 1 = ?
9. 6 – 5 = ?
10. 4 – 0 = ?
11. 3 – 3 = ?
12. 10 – 8 = ?
13. 2 – 2 = ?
14. 9 – 5 = ?
15. 6 – 3 = ?
16. 8 – 4 = ?
17. 5 – 3 = ?
18. 7 – 2 = ?
19. 4 – 4 = ?
20. 10 – 6 = ?

Hard Level Questions

1. 10 – 9 = ?
2. 9 – 7 = ?
3. 8 – 8 = ?
4. 7 – 6 = ?
5. 6 – 1 = ?
6. 5 – 4 = ?
7. 10 – 2 = ?
8. 9 – 1 = ?
9. 8 – 7 = ?
10. 6 – 0 = ?
11. 7 – 0 = ?
12. 5 – 1 = ?
13. 9 – 8 = ?
14. 4 – 3 = ?
15. 3 – 0 = ?
16. 2 – 1 = ?
17. 8 – 1 = ?
18. 10 – 4 = ?
19. 7 – 5 = ?
20. 6 – 2 = ?

Answers

Easy Level Answers

1. 5 – 2 = 3
   • Start with 5 cubes. Take away 2 cubes. You have 3 cubes left.
2. 6 – 1 = 5
   • Start with 6 cubes. Take away 1 cube. You have 5 cubes left.
3. 4 – 3 = 1
   • Start with 4 cubes. Take away 3 cubes. You have 1 cube left.
4. 3 – 2 = 1
   • Start with 3 cubes. Take away 2 cubes. You have 1 cube left.
5. 7 – 4 = 3
   • Start with 7 cubes. Take away 4 cubes. You have 3 cubes left.
6. 8 – 5 = 3
   • Start with 8 cubes. Take away 5 cubes. You have 3 cubes left.
7. 2 – 1 = 1
   • Start with 2 cubes. Take away 1 cube. You have 1 cube left.
8. 9 – 6 = 3
   • Start with 9 cubes. Take away 6 cubes. You have 3 cubes left.
9. 1 – 1 = 0
   • Start with 1 cube. Take away 1 cube. You have 0 cubes left.
10. 10 – 7 = 3
    • Start with 10 cubes. Take away 7 cubes. You have 3 cubes left.
11. 5 – 0 = 5
    • Start with 5 cubes. Take away 0 cubes. You have 5 cubes left.
12. 3 – 1 = 2
    • Start with 3 cubes. Take away 1 cube. You have 2 cubes left.
13. 6 – 2 = 4
    • Start with 6 cubes. Take away 2 cubes. You have 4 cubes left.
14. 4 – 1 = 3
    • Start with 4 cubes. Take away 1 cube. You have 3 cubes left.
15. 2 – 0 = 2
    • Start with 2 cubes. Take away 0 cubes. You have 2 cubes left.
16. 8 – 3 = 5
    • Start with 8 cubes. Take away 3 cubes. You have 5 cubes left.
17. 9 – 4 = 5
    • Start with 9 cubes. Take away 4 cubes. You have 5 cubes left.
18. 7 – 5 = 2
    • Start with 7 cubes. Take away 5 cubes. You have 2 cubes left.
19. 5 – 1 = 4
    • Start with 5 cubes. Take away 1 cube. You have 4 cubes left.
20. 4 – 2 = 2
    • Start with 4 cubes. Take away 2 cubes. You have 2 cubes left.

Medium Level Answers

1. 7 – 3 = 4
   • Start with 7 cubes. Take away 3 cubes. You have 4 cubes left.
2. 8 – 2 = 6
   • Start with 8 cubes. Take away 2 cubes. You have 6 cubes left.
3. 6 – 4 = 2
   • Start with 6 cubes. Take away 4 cubes. You have 2 cubes left.
4. 10 – 5 = 5
   • Start with 10 cubes. Take away 5 cubes. You have 5 cubes left.
5. 9 – 3 = 6
   • Start with 9 cubes. Take away 3 cubes. You have 6 cubes left.
6. 5 – 2 = 3
   • Start with 5 cubes. Take away 2 cubes. You have 3 cubes left.
7. 8 – 6 = 2
   • Start with 8 cubes. Take away 6 cubes. You have 2 cubes left.
8. 7 – 1 = 6
   • Start with 7 cubes. Take away 1 cube. You have 6 cubes left.
9. 6 – 5 = 1
   • Start with 6 cubes. Take away 5 cubes. You have 1 cube left.
10. 4 – 0 = 4
    • Start with 4 cubes. Take away 0 cubes. You have 4 cubes left.
11. 3 – 3 = 0
    • Start with 3 cubes. Take away 3 cubes. You have 0 cubes left.
12. 10 – 8 = 2
    • Start with 10 cubes. Take away 8 cubes. You have 2 cubes left.
13. 2 – 2 = 0
    • Start with 2 cubes. Take away 2 cubes. You have 0 cubes left.
14. 9 – 5 = 4
    • Start with 9 cubes. Take away 5 cubes. You have 4 cubes left.
15. 6 – 3 = 3
    • Start with 6 cubes. Take away 3 cubes. You have 3 cubes left.
16. 8 – 4 = 4
    • Start with 8 cubes. Take away 4 cubes. You have 4 cubes left.
17. 5 – 3 = 2
    • Start with 5 cubes. Take away 3 cubes. You have 2 cubes left.
18. 7 – 2 = 5
    • Start with 7 cubes. Take away 2 cubes. You have 5 cubes left.
19. 4 – 4 = 0
    • Start with 4 cubes. Take away 4 cubes. You have 0 cubes left.
20. 10 – 6 = 4
    • Start with 10 cubes. Take away 6 cubes. You have 4 cubes left.

Hard Level Answers

1. 10 – 9 = 1
   • Start with 10 cubes. Take away 9 cubes. You have 1 cube left.
2. 9 – 7 = 2
   • Start with 9 cubes. Take away 7 cubes. You have 2 cubes left.
3. 8 – 8 = 0
   • Start with 8 cubes. Take away 8 cubes. You have 0 cubes left.
4. 7 – 6 = 1
   • Start with 7 cubes. Take away 6 cubes. You have 1 cube left.
5. 6 – 1 = 5
   • Start with 6 cubes. Take away 1 cube. You have 5 cubes left.
6. 5 – 4 = 1
   • Start with 5 cubes. Take away 4 cubes. You have 1 cube left.
7. 10 – 2 = 8
   • Start with 10 cubes. Take away 2 cubes. You have 8 cubes left.
8. 9 – 1 = 8
   • Start with 9 cubes. Take away 1 cube. You have 8 cubes left.
9. 8 – 7 = 1
   • Start with 8 cubes. Take away 7 cubes. You have 1 cube left.
10. 6 – 0 = 6
    • Start with 6 cubes. Take away 0 cubes. You have 6 cubes left.
11. 7 – 0 = 7
    • Start with 7 cubes. Take away 0 cubes. You have 7 cubes left.
12. 5 – 1 = 4
    • Start with 5 cubes. Take away 1 cube. You have 4 cubes left.
13. 9 – 8 = 1
    • Start with 9 cubes. Take away 8 cubes. You have 1 cube left.
14. 4 – 3 = 1
    • Start with 4 cubes. Take away 3 cubes. You have 1 cube left.
15. 3 – 0 = 3
    • Start with 3 cubes. Take away 0 cubes. You have 3 cubes left.
16. 2 – 1 = 1
    • Start with 2 cubes. Take away 1 cube. You have 1 cube left.
17. 8 – 1 = 7
    • Start with 8 cubes. Take away 1 cube. You have 7 cubes left.
18. 10 – 4 = 6
    • Start with 10 cubes. Take away 4 cubes. You have 6 cubes left.
19. 7 – 5 = 2
    • Start with 7 cubes. Take away 5 cubes. You have 2 cubes left.
20. 6 – 2 = 4
    • Start with 6 cubes. Take away 2 cubes. You have 4 cubes left.

Now you’re ready to subtract with cubes! Keep practising, and have fun with your blocks!