Maths

Subtraction

Class 2

🎯 Learning Objectives

📖 Let Us Begin!

Sita has 15 sweets. She gives 6 to her friend Meena. How many sweets does she have left? We subtract to find out!

Subtraction means taking away. The sign for subtraction is − (minus). The answer we get is called the difference.

15 − 6 = 9. Sita has 9 sweets left!

Visual showing objects being taken away — sweets being given away from a group

Subtracting on a Number Line

A number line helps us subtract by jumping backward (to the left).

Example: 13 − 4 = ?
Step 1: Start at 13 on the number line.
Step 2: Jump 4 steps backward: 12, 11, 10, 9.
Step 3: You land on 9.
So 13 − 4 = 9.
Number line showing subtraction — jumping backward from 13 by 4 steps to reach 9
More examples on number line:
10 − 3 = 7 (start at 10, jump 3 backward)
16 − 5 = 11 (start at 16, jump 5 backward)
20 − 7 = 13 (start at 20, jump 7 backward)

Subtracting 1-Digit Numbers

When both numbers have only 1 digit, we can subtract easily:

Examples:
9 − 4 = 5    8 − 3 = 5    7 − 7 = 0    6 − 2 = 4
5 − 0 = 5    9 − 6 = 3    8 − 5 = 3    7 − 4 = 3
Arjun had 9 toffees. He ate 4. How many are left? 9 − 4 = 5 toffees!

Subtracting 2-Digit Numbers (Vertical Method)

Write the bigger number on top. Subtract the ones first, then the tens.

Worked Example 1: 47 − 23 = ?
Step 1: Write 47 on top, 23 below.
Step 2: Subtract ones: 7 − 3 = 4
Step 3: Subtract tens: 4 − 2 = 2
Answer: 24
Worked Example 2: 58 − 15 = ?
Ones: 8 − 5 = 3. Tens: 5 − 1 = 4. Answer: 43
Worked Example 3: 76 − 34 = ?
Ones: 6 − 4 = 2. Tens: 7 − 3 = 4. Answer: 42
Remember: Always write the bigger number on top when subtracting!

Subtraction with Borrowing (Regrouping)

Sometimes the top ones digit is smaller than the bottom ones digit. Then we "borrow" 1 ten from the tens column.

Worked Example: 42 − 17 = ?
Step 1: Ones: 2 − 7? We cannot! Borrow 1 ten from 4 (becomes 3). Now ones = 12.
Step 2: Ones: 12 − 7 = 5.
Step 3: Tens: 3 − 1 = 2.
Answer: 25
More examples with borrowing:
31 − 14 = 17    53 − 28 = 25    60 − 35 = 25

Word Problems

Subtraction is used in daily life. Look for words like "left", "remaining", "how many more", "difference", "gave away".

Problem 1: Meena had ₹45. She spent ₹12 on a notebook. How much money is left?
Solution: 45 − 12 = ₹33
Problem 2: There are 38 students in a class. 15 went home early. How many students are still in class?
Solution: 38 − 15 = 23 students
Problem 3: Arjun had 50 marbles. He gave 22 to Ravi. How many marbles does Arjun have now?
Solution: 50 − 22 = 28 marbles

📝 Key Words

WordMeaning
SubtractionTaking away a number from another number
DifferenceThe answer we get after subtracting
Minus (−)The sign we use for subtraction
Take awayAnother way to say subtract
Left / RemainingWhat is still there after taking some away
Borrow / RegroupTaking 1 ten from the tens column when ones are not enough
⭐ Key Points to Remember

✏️ Practice Questions

A. Fill in the Blanks
1. 9 − 5 =
2. 17 − 6 =
3. 35 − 12 =
4. 50 − 20 =
5. 48 − 5 =
6. 42 − 17 =
7. 63 − 28 =
8. 80 − 45 =
9. 7 − 0 =
10. 56 − 56 =
B. Choose the Correct Answer
1. What is 14 − 7?
(a) 6(b) 7(c) 8(d) 21
2. What is 39 − 14?
(a) 53(b) 25(c) 24(d) 15
3. Arjun had 20 biscuits. He ate 8. How many are left?
(a) 28(b) 12(c) 11(d) 13
4. What is 51 − 26?
(a) 35(b) 25(c) 77(d) 15
5. 30 − 0 = ?
(a) 0(b) 30(c) 3(d) 300
C. Word Problems
1. Meena had 45 flowers. She gave 13 to her teacher. How many flowers does she have now?
2. Use the number line to subtract: 16 − 5 = ___. Show your jumps.
3. Subtract vertically: 67 − 34 = ___. Show your working.
4. Ravi had ₹50. He bought a pen for ₹18. How much money is left?
5. There were 40 birds on a tree. 15 flew away. How many birds are still on the tree?
D. True or False
1. 8 − 0 = 8.
2. Subtraction means putting numbers together.
3. In vertical subtraction, we subtract ones first.
4. 12 − 12 = 1.
5. We always write the bigger number on top.
E. Match the Following
Column A (Subtraction)Column B (Answer)
1. 15 − 8(a) 30
2. 47 − 23(b) 7
3. 50 − 20(c) 24
4. 36 − 36(d) 25
5. 60 − 35(e) 0
🎨 Activity: Take Away Game

Take 20 small stones, seeds, or coins. Take away some and count what is left. Write the subtraction sum each time. Do this 5 times with different amounts.

Example: I had 20. I took away 7. 20 − 7 = 13 left.

Challenge: Now try with bigger numbers! Start with 50 seeds and take away different amounts.

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Maths

Subtraction

Class 2  |  CBSE / NCERT / ICSE
Name: Class / Sec: Date:
🎯 Learning Objectives
📖 Let Us Begin!

Sita has 15 sweets. She gives 6 to her friend Meena. How many sweets does she have left? We subtract to find out! Subtraction means taking away. The sign for subtraction is − (minus). The answer we get is called the difference. 15 − 6 = 9. Sita has 9 sweets left!

Visual showing objects being taken away
Subtracting on a Number Line

A number line helps us subtract by jumping backward (to the left).

Example: 13 − 4 = ? Start at 13. Jump 4 steps backward: 12, 11, 10, 9. Answer: 9.
10 − 3 = 7 | 16 − 5 = 11 | 20 − 7 = 13
Number line showing subtraction jumps
Subtracting 1-Digit Numbers
9 − 4 = 5   8 − 3 = 5   7 − 7 = 0   6 − 2 = 4
5 − 0 = 5   9 − 6 = 3   8 − 5 = 3   7 − 4 = 3
Arjun had 9 toffees. He ate 4. 9 − 4 = 5 toffees left!
Subtracting 2-Digit Numbers (Vertical Method)

Write the bigger number on top. Subtract ones first, then tens.

47 − 23: Ones: 7−3=4. Tens: 4−2=2. Answer: 24
58 − 15: Ones: 8−5=3. Tens: 5−1=4. Answer: 43
76 − 34: Ones: 6−4=2. Tens: 7−3=4. Answer: 42
Subtraction with Borrowing

When top ones digit is smaller, borrow 1 ten from the tens column.

42 − 17: Ones: 2−7? Borrow! 12−7=5. Tens: 3−1=2. Answer: 25
31 − 14 = 17   53 − 28 = 25   60 − 35 = 25
Word Problems
1. Meena had ₹45. She spent ₹12. Left: 45 − 12 = ₹33
2. 38 students, 15 went home. Still in class: 38 − 15 = 23
3. Arjun had 50 marbles, gave 22 to Ravi. Left: 50 − 22 = 28
Clue words: "left", "remaining", "gave away", "how many more".
Maths

Subtraction (continued)

Class 2  |  CBSE / NCERT / ICSE
Name: Class / Sec: Date:
📝 Key Words
WordMeaning
SubtractionTaking away a number from another number
DifferenceThe answer we get after subtracting
Minus (−)The sign we use for subtraction
Take awayAnother way to say subtract
Left / RemainingWhat is still there after taking some away
Borrow / RegroupTaking 1 ten from tens column when ones are not enough
⭐ Key Points to Remember
  • Subtraction means taking away.
  • The answer in subtraction is called the difference.
  • Always write the bigger number on top.
  • In vertical subtraction, subtract ones first, then tens.
  • Subtracting 0 from any number gives the same number: 8 − 0 = 8.
  • Any number minus itself equals 0: 5 − 5 = 0.
  • If ones on top are smaller, borrow 1 ten from the tens column.
  • Clue words: "left", "remaining", "gave away", "how many more".
✏️ Practice Questions
A. Fill in the Blanks
1. 9 − 5 =
2. 17 − 6 =
3. 35 − 12 =
4. 50 − 20 =
5. 48 − 5 =
6. 42 − 17 =
7. 63 − 28 =
8. 80 − 45 =
9. 7 − 0 =
10. 56 − 56 =
B. Choose the Correct Answer
1. What is 14 − 7?
(a) 6(b) 7(c) 8(d) 21
2. What is 39 − 14?
(a) 53(b) 25(c) 24(d) 15
3. Arjun had 20 biscuits. He ate 8. How many are left?
(a) 28(b) 12(c) 11(d) 13
4. What is 51 − 26?
(a) 35(b) 25(c) 77(d) 15
5. 30 − 0 = ?
(a) 0(b) 30(c) 3(d) 300
Maths

Subtraction (practice)

Class 2  |  CBSE / NCERT / ICSE
Name: Class / Sec: Date:
C. Word Problems
1. Meena had 45 flowers. She gave 13 to her teacher. How many flowers does she have now?
2. Use the number line to subtract: 16 − 5 = ___. Show your jumps.
3. Subtract vertically: 67 − 34 = ___. Show your working.
4. Ravi had ₹50. He bought a pen for ₹18. How much money is left?
5. There were 40 birds on a tree. 15 flew away. How many birds are still on the tree?
D. True or False
1. 8 − 0 = 8.
2. Subtraction means putting numbers together.
3. In vertical subtraction, we subtract ones first.
4. 12 − 12 = 1.
5. We always write the bigger number on top.
E. Match the Following
Column A (Subtraction)Column B (Answer)
1. 15 − 8(a) 30
2. 47 − 23(b) 7
3. 50 − 20(c) 24
4. 36 − 36(d) 25
5. 60 − 35(e) 0
🎨 Activity: Take Away Game

Take 20 small stones or seeds. Take away some and count what is left. Write the subtraction sum each time:

1. 20 − =

2. 20 − =

3. 20 − =

4. 20 − =

5. 20 − =

Challenge: Start with 50 and subtract: 50 − =

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