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Write Addition and Subtraction Equations
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Learn to Write Addition and Subtraction Equations

So far, you've learned a lot about addition and subtraction!

👍 You've learned how to tell if a word problem is addition or subtraction, by looking for keywords.

addition and subtraction words

👍 You've also learned how to write numbers as words.

words for Tens and Ones

Now, we’ll learn how to turn words into entire equations! 🤗

Writing Addition Equations

Let's try writing an equation for this sentence. 🤗

Three plus seven is ten.

Let’s take a look at the two keywords: 🕵

Plus means addition
Is means equals

Based on these meanings, let us rewrite the sentence using numbers and symbols.

3 + 7 = 10

Great job! 😎 You just wrote an addition equation.

Another Example

Let's try another example.

Ten more than thirty-five is forty-five.

What does “more than” mean? 🤔

Correct! 👍 It means addition.

Can you now write an equation for the above sentence? 🤓

10 + 35 = 45

Good work! 👏

Now, let’s try writing some subtraction equations.

Writing Subtraction Equations

Let's try writing a subtraction equation for this sentence.

Nine minus four is five.

What does “minus” mean? 🤔

You got it! 😃 It means subtraction.

So, can you write an equation for the sentence now?

9 - 4 = 5

Great job! 🤗

Let’s look at the same problem in a different form.

Four less than nine is five.

Sometimes subtraction can be tricky! 🤔

Sometimes a subtraction sentence can seem backward!

Let’s look at the first part: 🕵

Four less than nine

We’re saying that we’ll take four from nine. 

Four is the subtrahend (the number we’re taking away):

9 - 4

Now, complete the equation using the end of the sentence - “is five.” 🤗

9 - 4 = 5

key pointTip: The subtrahend will always be smaller. If you get confused by the sentence, just remember the subtrahend is smaller!

Let’s try another example.

Twenty-two decreased by nine equals thirteen.

In this one, the numbers are already in order!

Can you write the equation for it? 🤓

22 - 9 = 13

Great work! 💪 You now know how to write addition and subtraction equations from words!

Watch and Learn

Now, you can move on to the practice problems!

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