What is Taking Away Objects?

S0-SA1-0296

Grade Level:

Pre-School – Class 2

All domains without exception

Definition

What is it?

Taking away objects, also known as subtraction, means removing a certain number of items from a larger group. It helps us find out how many items are left after some have been removed.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have 5 delicious laddoos on a plate. If your friend eats 2 laddoos, how many are left? You started with 5, and 2 were taken away. So, 5 - 2 = 3 laddoos are left.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's say a cricket team scored 180 runs in an inning. They need to score 200 runs to win the match. How many more runs do they need?
---Step 1: Identify the total runs needed (200) and the runs already scored (180).
---Step 2: To find out how many more runs are needed, we take away the runs scored from the total runs needed.
---Step 3: Write the problem as 200 - 180.
---Step 4: Subtract the runs: 200 - 180 = 20.
---Answer: The cricket team needs 20 more runs to win the match.

Why It Matters

Understanding 'taking away' is super important for daily life and many subjects. It's used by shopkeepers to calculate change, by engineers to manage resources, and even by scientists when analyzing data. It's a foundational skill for problem-solving in math and beyond.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Subtracting the smaller number from the larger number without considering which number comes first in the problem. | CORRECTION: Always subtract the amount being 'taken away' from the starting amount. For example, if you have 10 and 3 are taken, it's 10 - 3, not 3 - 10.

MISTAKE: Not regrouping or borrowing correctly when numbers in the bottom row are larger than numbers in the top row for a specific place value. | CORRECTION: Remember to 'borrow' from the next higher place value (e.g., tens from hundreds) when the digit you're subtracting from is smaller.

MISTAKE: Confusing subtraction with addition. | CORRECTION: Subtraction always reduces the total number of items, while addition always increases it. Look for keywords like 'left,' 'remaining,' 'difference,' or 'how many more/less'.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Your mom bought 12 mangoes. You and your sister ate 4 mangoes. How many mangoes are left? | ANSWER: 8 mangoes

QUESTION: A bus started with 45 passengers. At the first stop, 15 passengers got off. How many passengers are still on the bus? | ANSWER: 30 passengers

QUESTION: Riya had ₹500. She bought a storybook for ₹175 and a pen for ₹40. How much money does Riya have left? | ANSWER: ₹285

MCQ

Quick Quiz

If you have 25 stickers and give 8 stickers to your friend, how many stickers do you have now?

33 stickers

17 stickers

8 stickers

25 stickers

The Correct Answer Is:

You started with 25 stickers and 8 were taken away (given to a friend), so you perform 25 - 8 = 17. Option A is addition, and options C and D are incorrect amounts.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you check your mobile data usage, you often see how much data you started with (e.g., 2 GB) and how much you have used. To find out how much data is 'left' for the day or month, you use taking away. Similarly, when a cashier gives you change after you buy something, they are doing subtraction.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

SUBTRACTION: The process of taking one number or amount away from another | DIFFERENCE: The result of subtracting one number from another | MINUS: A symbol (-) used to show subtraction | REMAINDER: The amount left after taking away | REGGROUPING: The process of exchanging values between place values in subtraction (e.g., borrowing from tens to ones)

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Great job understanding 'taking away'! Next, you can explore 'Addition of Objects' to see how numbers grow, or 'Multiplication' which is like repeated addition. These concepts build on each other and will help you solve even bigger math problems!