How to Subtract by Counting Back

MatholiaChannel

This educational video introduces early learners to the subtraction strategy of "counting back." Through three clear, visual examples involving eggs, books, and linking cubes, the video demonstrates how to solve subtraction problems by starting at the whole number and counting backwards by the amount being subtracted. Each example progresses from a real-world scenario to a visual counting method, and finally to a written mathematical equation. The video focuses on the fundamental concept of subtraction as "taking away" and connects it directly to the mental math strategy of counting backwards. It uses clear visual aids—specifically curved lines representing "hops" backwards on a number line—to help students visualize the abstract concept of decreasing value. The examples used (7-3, 8-4, and 9-3) cover single-digit subtraction within 10. This resource is highly valuable for Kindergarten and 1st Grade classrooms introducing subtraction strategies beyond simple counting of remaining objects. It bridges the gap between concrete manipulatives (like counting physical eggs) and abstract mental math (counting back in one's head). Teachers can use this to model how to use number lines or mental counting to solve equations efficiently.