Subtraction Properties

Grade 1 Math | How Subtraction Connects to Addition

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Subtraction and Addition Are Connected!

Subtraction and addition are like best friends - they work together!

While addition doesn't have the same "order property" as subtraction (you can't just flip the numbers), subtraction has a special connection to addition.

Every subtraction problem can be solved by thinking about addition!

The big idea is:

  • Subtraction is the opposite of addition
  • If you know an addition fact, you know a subtraction fact
  • You can check subtraction with addition
  • Addition and subtraction are inverse operations

See the Connection!

Addition Fact:

3 + 4 = 7
🟢🟢🟢 + 🟢🟢🟢🟢 = 🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢

This gives us...

Subtraction Facts:

7 - 4 = 3
7 - 3 = 4