Subtract within 5
When your child knows that 5 take away 2 leaves 3, subtraction stops being slow counting and starts to feel like something they own. Knowing these facts by heart frees your child from counting back, which is easy to slip on, and leads to subtracting fluently within 10 in 1st grade. They also come up whenever something is shared, eaten, or put away, like 4 crayons with 1 lost under the couch.
In this video, your child will learn to subtract within five.
The lesson stops at each question for your child's answer.
Three problems, each a little harder
Each problem is worked step by step. Your child will solve the last one before Bobby shows how.
Example 1
4 − 1 = ?
Example 2
5 − ? = 2
Your child's turn
5 − ? = 1
The three key steps
- 1Hold up the first number.
- 2Put some fingers down.
- 3Count the fingers up, or the ones that went down.
Mistakes to listen for
- Mixing up a subtraction fact with its adding partner, saying 4 - 1 = 5 because 4 and 1 go with 5.
- Counting back and including the starting number, so 5 - 2 becomes "5, 4" and the answer comes out as 4.
- Saying the number taken away instead of the number left, so 5 - 4 is answered as 4 rather than 1.
The lesson shows every step, so your child sees why it works. Read our parent's guide to subtracting fluently within 5 →
Is your child ready to practice what they've learned?
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More Kindergarten Problem Solving, with questions your child answers along the way.
Questions parents ask
Does my child need an account to watch?
No. You can watch this on any device at any time. If your child would like to practice subtracting fluently within 5, and you'd like parent-friendly reports on your child's progress and growth, you can join Bobby's Math Club for unlimited free practice.
What happens when my child answers a question?
A right answer gets a cheer, and the lesson carries on. If your child isn't sure, they can tap "I don't know yet", and Bobby gives the answer and shows another example. Nothing is scored or stored.
Is this the same lesson that's on YouTube?
Yes. Here, the lesson stops at each question and waits for your child to answer. On YouTube, each question stays on screen for a few seconds, and then the lesson plays on.
Where can I learn more?
There's a short, kid-friendly lesson like this one for every Pre-K to 5th grade math skill, all in our video library. Our parent's guide to subtracting fluently within 5 has more on where kids get stuck and how you can help at home. In the club, your child practices at just the right level, about five minutes a day, and you get parent-friendly reports as they grow. Learn more about how it works →
Practice subtracting fluently within 5
Questions at your child's level, about five minutes a day, on subtracting fluently within 5 and whatever PK-5 skills they need to develop. Unlimited practice, free forever.
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