Year 1 Maths: Subtract with Cubes – Numbers up to 5

Introduction to Subtraction with Cubes

Hello, class! Today, we are going to learn about subtraction using cubes. Subtraction means taking away. We will use cubes to help us see how it works.

What Are Cubes?

Cubes are little blocks that we can count. They can be different colours, and we can use them to help us understand numbers. Let’s use them to learn how to subtract!

How to Subtract with Cubes

1. Start with some cubes: Let’s say we have 5 cubes. We can arrange them in a line.
2. Count the cubes: First, count how many cubes you have. For example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
3. Take some away: If we want to subtract 2, we will take away 2 cubes.
4. Count how many are left: After taking away the cubes, we count what’s left. In this case, you would have 3 cubes left.

Example

Let’s do an example together.

• You have 4 cubes:
  • Count: 1, 2, 3, 4.
• Subtract 1 cube:
  • Take 1 away.
• Count what’s left:
  • Now you have 3 cubes left.

So, we say: $$4 – 1 = 3$$.

Key Rules for Subtraction

1. Start with the total number of cubes.
2. Take away the number of cubes you want to subtract.
3. Count what’s left to find the answer.

Tips and Tricks

• Always count your cubes carefully.
• You can use different colours to make it fun!
• Remember, subtraction means taking away.

Questions to Practice

Easy Level Questions

1. What is $$5 – 1$$?
2. What is $$4 – 2$$?
3. What is $$3 – 1$$?
4. What is $$2 – 0$$?
5. What is $$3 – 2$$?
6. What is $$5 – 3$$?
7. What is $$4 – 3$$?
8. What is $$1 – 1$$?
9. What is $$2 – 1$$?
10. What is $$0 – 0$$?

Medium Level Questions

11. What is $$5 – 2$$?
12. What is $$4 – 1$$?
13. What is $$3 – 3$$?
14. What is $$2 – 2$$?
15. What is $$5 – 4$$?
16. What is $$3 – 0$$?
17. What is $$4 – 0$$?
18. What is $$2 – 1$$?
19. What is $$1 – 0$$?
20. What is $$5 – 5$$?

Hard Level Questions

21. What is $$3 – 2$$?
22. What is $$4 – 2$$?
23. What is $$5 – 1$$?
24. What is $$2 – 0$$?
25. What is $$4 – 4$$?
26. What is $$5 – 3$$?
27. What is $$3 – 1$$?
28. What is $$2 – 2$$?
29. What is $$1 – 1$$?
30. What is $$0 – 0$$?

Answers

Easy Level Answers

1. $$5 – 1 = 4$$.You started with 5 cubes and took away 1. You have 4 cubes left.
2. $$4 – 2 = 2$$.With 4 cubes, taking away 2 means you have 2 left.
3. $$3 – 1 = 2$$.If you have 3 cubes and take away 1, you have 2 left.
4. $$2 – 0 = 2$$.If you don’t take any cubes away, you still have 2 left.
5. $$3 – 2 = 1$$.Starting with 3 cubes and taking away 2 leaves you with 1.
6. $$5 – 3 = 2$$.If you have 5 cubes and take away 3, you are left with 2.
7. $$4 – 3 = 1$$.From 4 cubes, if you take 3 away, you have 1 cube left.
8. $$1 – 1 = 0$$.If you have 1 cube and take it away, you have none left.
9. $$2 – 1 = 1$$.With 2 cubes, if you take away 1, you have 1 left.
10. $$0 – 0 = 0$$.If you have no cubes and don’t take any away, you still have none.

Medium Level Answers

11. $$5 – 2 = 3$$.Starting with 5 cubes and taking away 2, you have 3 left.
12. $$4 – 1 = 3$$.If you have 4 cubes and take away 1, you will have 3.
13. $$3 – 3 = 0$$.If you have 3 cubes and take them all away, you have none left.
14. $$2 – 2 = 0$$.From 2 cubes, taking both away leaves you with none.
15. $$5 – 4 = 1$$.If you start with 5 cubes and take away 4, you have 1 left.
16. $$3 – 0 = 3$$.If you don’t take any cubes away from 3, you still have 3.
17. $$4 – 0 = 4$$.If you have 4 cubes and take none away, you still have 4.
18. $$2 – 1 = 1$$.If you have 2 cubes and take 1 away, you have 1 left.
19. $$1 – 0 = 1$$.If you have 1 cube and take none away, you still have 1.
20. $$5 – 5 = 0$$.If you take all 5 cubes away, you are left with none.

Hard Level Answers

21. $$3 – 2 = 1$$.Starting with 3 cubes and taking 2 away leaves you with 1.
22. $$4 – 2 = 2$$.If you have 4 cubes and take 2 away, you have 2 left.
23. $$5 – 1 = 4$$.If you have 5 cubes and take away 1, you will have 4 left.
24. $$2 – 0 = 2$$.If you don’t take any cubes away from 2, you still have 2.
25. $$4 – 4 = 0$$.If you take all 4 cubes away, you have none left.
26. $$5 – 3 = 2$$.If you start with 5 cubes and take away 3, you have 2 left.
27. $$3 – 1 = 2$$.With 3 cubes, taking away 1 means you have 2 left.
28. $$2 – 2 = 0$$.Taking both cubes away from 2 leaves you with none.
29. $$1 – 1 = 0$$.If you take away the only cube you have, you have none left.
30. $$0 – 0 = 0$$.If you have no cubes and take none away, you still have none.

Now, go ahead and practice using your cubes!