Subtraction Strategies

We have really been working on subtraction for awhile. Our class is full of math marvels! They discovered quite a few different strategies to solve a subtraction problem. Here are some of their strategies:

The first problem is 300-170=___ . They all discovered the difference was 130, but in different ways.

Colton shows the Trading Strategy.

Camryn shows the Negative Number Strategy.

Alecia shows how she splits one number and then subtracts each one.

Kierra used the Number Line Strategy and counted up to find the difference.


The next problem was 348-139=___. The students found the answer to be 209.

Blake also used the Number Line Strategy.

Michael split one number into parts and subtracted.

Hailey used the Negative Number Strategy.

Connor shows the classic trading strategy.

Parents, ask your child about these strategies. Most of us only learned how to "borrow" in elementary school, but these third graders have found other strategies to solve subtraction problems. Ask about their favorite strategy and give them a subtraction problem to solve. You'll be amazed! :)