This document describes the method of subtraction using partitioning. It explains that partitioning involves splitting the smaller number into place values like tens and ones and then subtracting place values one at a time, starting with the largest place value. It provides an example of subtracting 86 - 47 by first subtracting the tens (86 - 40) and then the ones. It also demonstrates how this method can be used for larger numbers by splitting the smaller number into hundreds, tens, and ones.

1. Subtraction Of Whole Numbers Using
Partitioning
(the 3rd step towards using a standard
written method for subtraction)
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2. Before you start to subtract using partitioning you should be confident in
“counting back” using a number line. For example: 86 - 47 = 39
Subtracting the tens
first, followed by the
units:
-7
39
- 40
46
86

3. Before you start to subtract using partitioning you should be confident in
“counting back” using a number line. For example: 86 - 47 = 39
Subtracting the tens
first, followed by the
units:
-7
39
- 40
46
Subtracting using partitioning builds on this. You 1st have to split the
smaller number into tens and units e.g. 47 = 40 + 7
86

4. Before you start to subtract using partitioning you should be confident in
“counting back” using a number line. For example: 86 - 47 = 39
Subtracting the tens
first, followed by the
units:
-7
39
- 40
46
Subtracting using partitioning builds on this. You 1st have to split the
smaller number into tens and units e.g. 47 = 40 + 7
Then, you need to subtract the tens:
86

5. Before you start to subtract using partitioning you should be confident in
“counting back” using a number line. For example: 86 - 47 = 39
Subtracting the tens
first, followed by the
units:
-7
39
- 40
46
Subtracting using partitioning builds on this. You 1st have to split the
smaller number into tens and units e.g. 47 = 40 + 7
Then, you need to subtract the tens:
86 – 47:
86 – 40 = 46
86

6. Before you start to subtract using partitioning you should be confident in
“counting back” using a number line. For example: 86 - 47 = 39
Subtracting the tens
first, followed by the
units:
-7
39
- 40
46
Subtracting using partitioning builds on this. You 1st have to split the
smaller number into tens and units e.g. 47 = 40 + 7
Then, you need to subtract the tens:
86 – 47:
86 – 40 = 46
Finally, you subtract the units:
86

7. Before you start to subtract using partitioning you should be confident in
“counting back” using a number line. For example: 86 - 47 = 39
Subtracting the tens
first, followed by the
units:
-7
39
- 40
46
Subtracting using partitioning builds on this. You 1st have to split the
smaller number into tens and units e.g. 47 = 40 + 7
Then, you need to subtract the tens:
86 – 47:
86 – 40 = 46
Finally, you subtract the units:
46 – 7 = 39
86

8. A similar process can be used with bigger numbers, for example 527 - 345
This time the smaller number is split up into hundreds, tens & units:
e.g. 345 = 300 + 40 + 5

9. A similar process can be used with bigger numbers, for example 527 - 345
This time the smaller number is split up into hundreds, tens & units:
e.g. 345 = 300 + 40 + 5
Firstly, the hundreds are subtracted:

10. A similar process can be used with bigger numbers, for example 527 - 345
This time the smaller number is split up into hundreds, tens & units:
e.g. 345 = 300 + 40 + 5
Firstly, the hundreds are subtracted:
527 – 300 = 227

11. A similar process can be used with bigger numbers, for example 527 - 345
This time the smaller number is split up into hundreds, tens & units:
e.g. 345 = 300 + 40 + 5
Firstly, the hundreds are subtracted:
527 – 300 = 227
Then the tens:

12. A similar process can be used with bigger numbers, for example 527 - 345
This time the smaller number is split up into hundreds, tens & units:
e.g. 345 = 300 + 40 + 5
Firstly, the hundreds are subtracted:
527 – 300 = 227
Then the tens:
227 – 40 = 187

13. A similar process can be used with bigger numbers, for example 527 - 345
This time the smaller number is split up into hundreds, tens & units:
e.g. 345 = 300 + 40 + 5
Firstly, the hundreds are subtracted:
527 – 300 = 227
Then the tens:
227 – 40 = 187
Finally the units:

14. A similar process can be used with bigger numbers, for example 527 - 345
This time the smaller number is split up into hundreds, tens & units:
e.g. 345 = 300 + 40 + 5
Firstly, the hundreds are subtracted:
527 – 300 = 227
Then the tens:
227 – 40 = 187
Finally the units:
187 – 5 = 182

15. That’s it for now......
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