Introduction

Hello, Year 4! Today, we are going to learn about finding missing numbers in subtraction. Sometimes, we might see a number missing from a subtraction problem, and we need to figure out what that number is. Let’s break it down step by step!

What is Subtraction?

Subtraction is when we take one number away from another number. For example:

  • If we have 10 apples and we give away 4 apples, we can find out how many apples we have left by doing the subtraction:$$10 – 4 = 6$$

Finding Missing Numbers

What Does it Mean?

When we have a subtraction problem like this:

$$__ – 3 = 5$$

The blank (or underscore) is the missing number we need to find.

How to Find the Missing Number

To find the missing number, we can think about what number, when we subtract 3, will give us 5.

  1. Start with the answer (5).
  2. Add the number you subtracted (3).
  3. This will give you the missing number.

So, in our example:

$$5 + 3 = 8$$

Therefore, the missing number is 8:

$$8 – 3 = 5$$

Key Rules

  1. Addition Instead of Subtraction: When finding a missing number in subtraction, use addition.
  2. Check Your Work: After you find the missing number, you can check your answer by putting it back into the original problem.
  3. Think of the Number Line: Using a number line can help you visualize the problem.

Tips and Tricks

  • Use Counters: If you have counters or small objects, use them to help you understand the subtraction better.
  • Draw a Picture: Drawing can help you see what is happening in the problem.
  • Practice: The more you practice, the easier it will get!

Examples

  1. Find the missing number:$$__ – 6 = 4$$
    • Add: $$4 + 6 = 10$$
    • Missing number: 10
  2. Find the missing number:$$12 – __ = 5$$
    • Subtract: $$12 – 5 = 7$$
    • Missing number: 7

Questions

Easy Level

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

Medium Level

  1. $$__ – 7 = 3$$
  2. $$20 – __ = 15$$
  3. $$__ – 5 = 8$$
  4. $$17 – __ = 9$$
  5. $$__ – 9 = 4$$
  6. $$14 – __ = 10$$
  7. $$__ – 8 = 5$$
  8. $$16 – __ = 7$$
  9. $$__ – 4 = 11$$
  10. $$13 – __ = 3$$
  11. $$__ – 6 = 2$$
  12. $$15 – __ = 6$$
  13. $$__ – 11 = 0$$
  14. $$19 – __ = 10$$
  15. $$__ – 3 = 8$$
  16. $$10 – __ = 5$$
  17. $$__ – 7 = 2$$
  18. $$22 – __ = 18$$
  19. $$__ – 4 = 12$$
  20. $$25 – __ = 20$$

Hard Level

  1. $$__ – 15 = 5$$
  2. $$45 – __ = 30$$
  3. $$__ – 22 = 13$$
  4. $$34 – __ = 18$$
  5. $$__ – 26 = 17$$
  6. $$29 – __ = 14$$
  7. $$__ – 19 = 9$$
  8. $$50 – __ = 35$$
  9. $$__ – 12 = 24$$
  10. $$31 – __ = 21$$
  11. $$__ – 10 = 5$$
  12. $$40 – __ = 25$$
  13. $$__ – 30 = 10$$
  14. $$60 – __ = 45$$
  15. $$__ – 14 = 16$$
  16. $$39 – __ = 20$$
  17. $$__ – 5 = 15$$
  18. $$28 – __ = 11$$
  19. $$__ – 21 = 9$$
  20. $$72 – __ = 50$$

Answers

Easy Level Answers

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

Medium Level Answers

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

Hard Level Answers

  1. 20
  2. 15
  3. 35
  4. 16
  5. 43
  6. 15
  7. 18
  8. 15
  9. 36
  10. 10
  11. 15
  12. 15
  13. 40
  14. 15
  15. 30
  16. 19
  17. 20
  18. 17
  19. 30
  20. 22

Great job, Year 4! Keep practising, and you’ll become a subtraction master in no time!