Subtraction Tricks for Beginners

Subtraction Tricks for Beginners

Subtraction tricks are basic maths skills for everyone because it is useful in everyday life. Many students find it difficult in the beginning, especially when numbers are larger. But with the right tricks and simple techniques, subtraction can become easy and interesting. In this post, you will learn a few simple subtraction tricks for beginners that help you solve subtraction problems quickly and accurately.

1. Subtraction on Number Line Method

The number line method is one of the best methods to understand subtraction tricks. Suppose a straight line on which numbers are written in order such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ... If you want to subtract any number, you move backward on the number line.

For example:
15 − 5

Start at 15 and move 5 steps backward: 14, 13, 12, 11, 10. You will reach 10.
So, 15 − 5 = 10.

This method is very useful for small numbers and for kids of grades 1, 2 and 3, because it makes subtraction visual and easy to understand.

2. Breaking Numbers into Parts (Split Method)

Subtraction of large numbers look scary for kids, but breaking them into smaller parts makes subtraction easier.

For example:
67 − 23

Break 23 into 20 and 3.

First subtract 20: 67 − 20 = 47

Then subtract 3: 47 − 3 = 44

So, 67 − 23 = 44.

This subtraction trick is useful for two-digit and three-digit numbers.

3. Subtraction using Rounding off

Rounding off a number makes the subtraction easier and faster.

For example:
72 − 19

Instead of subtracting 19 directly, we round off 19 to 20.

Now, 72 − 20 = 52

But we add extra 1, because we have subtracted 1 extra.

52 + 1 = 53

So, 72 − 19 = 53.

This subtraction trick is very useful when the subtrahend is close to 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, etc.

4. Subtraction by Adding (Compensation Method)

Sometimes, it is easy to subtract number using addition.

For example:
55 − 38

Ask yourself: What number should be added to 38 to get 55?

Now, start adding smaller numbers to 38 to reach 55.

38 + 2 = 40
40 + 10 = 50

50 + 5 = 55

2 + 10 + 5 = 17

So, 55 − 38 = 17.

This method improves mental maths ability.

5. Column Method (Borrowing Tricks)

For bigger numbers, the column method is very useful.

For example:
61 − 37

Step 1: Write numbers in columns.
Step 2: Subtract ones place: 1 − 7 is not possible, so borrow 1 from 6.
Step 3: 11 − 7 = 4
Step 4: Now, subtract tens place: 5 − 3 = 2

Answer = 24.

In the beginning, this method requires paper and pen but after a good practice, one can do it mentally also.

6. Practice with Small Steps

If a subtraction problem looks difficult, solve it step by step.

For example:
100 − 37

First subtract 30 in 3 steps:
100 – 10 – 10 − 10 = 70

Then subtract 7:
70 − 7 = 63

So, 100 − 37 = 63.

Breaking bigger numbers into smaller parts always helps beginners.