Chapter 4 of 13
Chapter 4: Subtraction
Take Away, Crossing Out, How Many Left & Subtraction Facts | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Understanding subtraction as 'Taking away' from a collection.
- Crossing out pictures/dots to find the remaining count.
- Using the minus sign (-) and equal to (=) signs.
- Subtraction facts within 9 and subtracting zero.
- Subtracting a number from itself (e.g. 5 - 5 = 0).
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (21 Questions)
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Q1
Textbook Exercise • Take Away Leaves
A twig has 6 leaves. Take away 2 leaves. How many leaves are left?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• 6 - 2 = 4 leaves left.
• 6 - 2 = 4 leaves left.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
6 - 2 = 4
2 M
Q2
Textbook Exercise • Take Away Butterflies
There are 5 butterflies on a rose flower. All 5 butterflies fly away. How many butterflies remain on the flower?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• 5 - 5 = 0 butterflies.
• When all items are taken away, zero remains.
• 5 - 5 = 0 butterflies.
• When all items are taken away, zero remains.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
5 - 5 = 0
1 M
Explanation of zero
1 M
Q3
Textbook Exercise • Frogs in Water
3 frogs sit on the bank. 1 frog jumps into the water. How many frogs stay on the bank?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• 3 - 1 = 2 frogs stay on the bank.
• 3 - 1 = 2 frogs stay on the bank.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
3 - 1 = 2
2 M
Q4
Textbook Exercise • Jugs on Table
There were 6 glass jugs on the table. 4 jugs broke. How many jugs are left unbroken?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• 6 - 4 = 2 jugs left unbroken.
• 6 - 4 = 2 jugs left unbroken.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
6 - 4 = 2
2 M
Q5
Textbook Exercise • Crossing Out Dots
There are 7 dots: (•••••••). Cross out 3 dots. How many dots are left uncrossed?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• 7 - 3 = 4 dots left.
• 7 - 3 = 4 dots left.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
7 - 3 = 4
2 M
Q6
Textbook Exercise • Vertical Subtraction
Subtract vertically:
8
- 2
---
[2 Marks]
8
- 2
---
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
8
- 2
---
6
8
- 2
---
6
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Answer 6
2 M
Q7
Textbook Exercise • Subtract 4 from 9
Subtract:
9
- 4
---
[2 Marks]
9
- 4
---
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
9
- 4
---
5
9
- 4
---
5
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Answer 5
2 M
Q8
Textbook Exercise • Subtract Zero
Subtract:
5
- 0
---
[2 Marks]
5
- 0
---
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
5
- 0
---
5
5
- 0
---
5
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Answer 5
2 M
Q9
Textbook Exercise • Subtract Number from Itself
Subtract:
7
- 7
---
[2 Marks]
7
- 7
---
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
7
- 7
---
0
7
- 7
---
0
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Answer 0
2 M
Q10
Textbook Exercise • Horizontal Differences
Solve:
(a) 4 - 2 = __
(b) 8 - 5 = __
(c) 9 - 1 = __
[3 Marks]
(a) 4 - 2 = __
(b) 8 - 5 = __
(c) 9 - 1 = __
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• (a) 4 - 2 = 2
• (b) 8 - 5 = 3
• (c) 9 - 1 = 8
• (a) 4 - 2 = 2
• (b) 8 - 5 = 3
• (c) 9 - 1 = 8
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
4-2 = 2
1 M
8-5 = 3
1 M
9-1 = 8
1 M
Q11
Textbook Exercise • Match the Difference
Match the subtraction facts that equal 3: (a) 6 - 3, (b) 5 - 2, (c) 7 - 4, (d) 8 - 5.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• 6 - 3 = 3
• 5 - 2 = 3
• 7 - 4 = 3
• 8 - 5 = 3
• All four expressions equal 3.
• 6 - 3 = 3
• 5 - 2 = 3
• 7 - 4 = 3
• 8 - 5 = 3
• All four expressions equal 3.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All evaluated to 3
2 M
Q12
Textbook Exercise • Missing Number in Subtraction
Fill in the blank: 8 - __ = 7.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• 8 - 7 = 1.
• 8 - 1 = 7.
• 8 - 7 = 1.
• 8 - 1 = 7.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Blank is 1
2 M
Q13
Textbook Exercise • Missing Minuend
Fill in the blank: __ - 2 = 3.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• 3 + 2 = 5.
• 5 - 2 = 3.
• 3 + 2 = 5.
• 5 - 2 = 3.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Blank is 5
2 M
Q14
Word Problem • Bananas Eaten
A monkey had 6 bananas. He ate 3 bananas. How many bananas are left?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• 6 - 3 = 3 bananas left.
• 6 - 3 = 3 bananas left.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
6 - 3 = 3 bananas
2 M
Q15
Word Problem • Sparrows Flying Away
9 sparrows were pecking grains in the courtyard. A barking dog startled them and 5 flew away. How many sparrows remained?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• 9 - 5 = 4 sparrows remained.
• 9 - 5 = 4 sparrows remained.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
9 - 5 = 4 sparrows
2 M
Q16
Word Problem • Candies Shared
Ali had 7 candies. He gave 4 candies to his sister. How many candies does Ali have now?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• 7 - 4 = 3 candies.
• 7 - 4 = 3 candies.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
7 - 4 = 3 candies
2 M
Q17
Textbook Exercise • Take Away from 9
Solve: 9 - 6 = __.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• Count down from 9: 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3.
• 9 - 6 = 3.
• Count down from 9: 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3.
• 9 - 6 = 3.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Answer 3
2 M
Q18
Textbook Exercise • Take Away from 8
Solve: 8 - 8 = __.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• 8 - 8 = 0.
• 8 - 8 = 0.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Answer 0
2 M
Q19
Textbook Exercise • Subtracting 1
What happens when you subtract 1 from any number? Give an example.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• Subtracting 1 gives the number just before it (the predecessor).
• Example: 7 - 1 = 6.
• Subtracting 1 gives the number just before it (the predecessor).
• Example: 7 - 1 = 6.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Gives number just before
1 M
Valid example (7 - 1 = 6)
1 M
Q20
Let Us Think • True or False in Subtraction
Is 5 - 2 equal to 2 - 5?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• 5 - 2 = 3.
• 2 - 5 cannot be done with whole positive numbers.
• No. Unlike addition, the order of numbers cannot be reversed in subtraction.
• 5 - 2 = 3.
• 2 - 5 cannot be done with whole positive numbers.
• No. Unlike addition, the order of numbers cannot be reversed in subtraction.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
No, order cannot be changed
2 M
Q21
Competency Review • Checking by Addition
How can you check if 8 - 3 = 5 is correct using addition?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• Add the answer (5) to the number subtracted (3):
• 5 + 3 = 8 (the original number).
• This proves the subtraction is correct.
• Add the answer (5) to the number subtracted (3):
• 5 + 3 = 8 (the original number).
• This proves the subtraction is correct.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
5 + 3 = 8
1 M
Proves inverse operation
1 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Leaves on a Twig Case Study
A green twig had 6 tender leaves. A hungry caterpillar came and ate 2 leaves.
Analytical Task: How many leaves are left on the twig? If the caterpillar comes back and eats 4 more leaves, how many leaves remain?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
1. Leaves left initially = 6 - 2 = 4 leaves left.
2. After eating 4 more: 4 - 4 = 0 leaves left.
2. After eating 4 more: 4 - 4 = 0 leaves left.
Rubric: 1.5 M for 6 - 2 = 4 leaves + 1.5 M for 4 - 4 = 0 leaves