What is Taking Away?

S0-SA1-0127

Grade Level:

Pre-School

Maths, Logic, Finance

Definition

What is it?

Taking away, also known as subtraction, means removing a part from a whole group or quantity. It helps us find out how much is left after some items are removed or how much smaller one number is compared to another.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have 5 delicious ladoos. If your friend eats 2 of them, how many ladoos do you have left? You started with 5, and 2 were taken away. So, 5 - 2 = 3 ladoos remaining.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

PROBLEM: Your mobile phone has 10 GB of internet data. If you use 3 GB for watching videos, how much data is left?

Step 1: Identify the total amount you started with. You had 10 GB of data.
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Step 2: Identify the amount that was taken away or used. You used 3 GB of data.
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Step 3: Set up the subtraction problem. Total amount - Amount taken away = Amount left.
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Step 4: Perform the calculation: 10 GB - 3 GB.
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Step 5: The result is 7 GB.

Answer: You have 7 GB of internet data left.

Why It Matters

Understanding 'taking away' is fundamental to all of mathematics, from managing your pocket money (Finance) to solving complex engineering problems (Maths). It's used by everyone from shopkeepers calculating change to scientists analyzing data. Learning this helps you think logically and solve everyday problems.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Subtracting the smaller number from the larger number when the problem asks for the difference from the original. Example: If you have 5 apples and give away 7, writing 7-5. | CORRECTION: You cannot take away more than you have. Always ensure the number being taken away is less than or equal to the starting number in simple subtraction. This concept introduces negative numbers later.

MISTAKE: Forgetting to borrow when subtracting multi-digit numbers. Example: In 42 - 5, writing 37 instead of 37 (42 becomes 30 + 12). | CORRECTION: Always remember to 'borrow' from the next place value (tens, hundreds) if the digit you are subtracting from is smaller than the digit being subtracted.

MISTAKE: Mixing up subtraction with addition. Example: Seeing 'how many are left' and accidentally adding instead of subtracting. | CORRECTION: Look for keywords like 'left', 'remaining', 'difference', 'how much less', 'spent', 'used' – these usually mean you need to subtract.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: A cricket team scored 180 runs. If they need to score 200 runs to win, how many more runs do they need? | ANSWER: 20 runs (200 - 180 = 20)

QUESTION: Your mom bought 12 eggs. If you used 4 eggs to make an omelette and your sister used 3 eggs for baking, how many eggs are left? | ANSWER: 5 eggs (12 - 4 - 3 = 5 or 12 - (4+3) = 12 - 7 = 5)

QUESTION: An auto-rickshaw driver started his day with Rs. 500. He spent Rs. 150 on petrol and earned Rs. 750 from fares. How much money does he have at the end of the day? | ANSWER: Rs. 1100 (500 - 150 + 750 = 350 + 750 = 1100)

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these words usually means you need to 'take away'?

Total

Sum

Remaining

Both

The Correct Answer Is:

The word 'remaining' directly asks for what is left after something is taken away, which is the core idea of subtraction. 'Total' and 'Sum' are related to addition.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you check your bank balance on a UPI app like PhonePe or Google Pay, and you see money deducted for a payment, that's 'taking away'. Also, when a shopkeeper gives you change after you buy something, they are performing a subtraction to calculate how much money to return.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

SUBTRACTION: The process of taking one number or amount away from another | DIFFERENCE: The result when one number is subtracted from another | MINUEND: The number from which another number is subtracted | SUBTRAHEND: The number that is to be subtracted | REMAINDER: The amount left after subtraction.

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand 'taking away', you're ready to explore 'multiplication'. Multiplication is like doing addition many times, and it often works hand-in-hand with subtraction in more complex problems. Keep up the great work!