Grade 2 · Maths · Lessons
Two digits, with a ten to break
🔟a ten1️⃣ten ones➖take away📋column
Break a ten.The big ideaToo few ones? Break a ten into ten ones first.
How it works
Take away the ones first. If there are too few ones, break a ten into ten ones.
Then take away the tens that are left.
Check by adding your answer to the number you took away.
Example 1: Take a few away
- 75 − 6 = ?
- Look at the ones: can you take them away?
- Break a ten if you need to, then take the tens.
- So the answer is 69.
Example 2: A two-digit take-away
- ? = 95 − 14
- Line up the ones and tens.
- Break a ten if the ones are too few.
- So the answer is 81.
Example 3: From a ten
- 80 − 24 = ?
- There are no ones, so break a ten into ten ones.
- Then take the ones and the tens away.
- So the answer is 56.
Words to know
- regroup
- Swap one ten for ten ones.
- difference
- What is left after taking away.
Watch out
- Take the smaller from the bigger in each place only after breaking.
- When you break a ten, the tens place goes down by one.
- Check by adding back.
Try it
- 87 − 48 = ?
- 91 − 79 = ?
- ? = 64 − 37
Answers: 1. 39 · 2. 12 · 3. 27
For grown-upsUse ten sticks and loose cubes to show how a ten breaks into ten ones.