Subtraction Tricks & Mental Maths Strategies
6 strategies to subtract faster in your head — no borrowing required when you use the right trick. Grades 2–5.
The Key Insight: Subtraction = Finding the Difference
You don't have to think of subtraction as "taking away." Often it's easier to think "how far is it from A to B?" — the count-up strategy exploits this completely.
Count Up (Add On)
Instead of subtracting, count up from the smaller number to the larger.
When to use: Use when the two numbers are close together
Compensation (Round & Adjust)
Round the subtrahend to the nearest 10, subtract, then adjust.
When to use: Use when the number being subtracted is close to a multiple of 10
Break Apart the Subtrahend
Split what you're subtracting into tens and ones, do each part.
When to use: Use for any 2-digit subtraction without borrowing
Keep the Difference
Add the same amount to both numbers to make one a multiple of 10.
When to use: Use when the subtrahend is close to a round number from below
Left-to-Right Subtraction
Subtract the tens first, then the ones.
When to use: Use for 2-digit subtraction with no borrowing needed
Using Doubles
Recognise when the answer is close to a doubles fact.
When to use: Use for single-digit subtraction — reverse doubles facts
Quick Reference
| Situation | Best Strategy |
|---|---|
| Numbers are close together | Count Up |
| Subtrahend ends in 7, 8, or 9 | Compensation |
| No borrowing needed | Break Apart or Left-to-Right |
| Subtrahend is just below a round number | Keep the Difference |
| Single-digit near a doubles fact | Reverse Doubles |
Curriculum Standards & Learning Objectives
This worksheet topic strictly aligns with global mathematics curricula. Review the detailed learning outcomes and standard identifiers for Two-Digit Subtraction (With Regrouping).
US Common Core
2.NBT.B.5
Fluently subtract within 100
CBSE (India)
Grade 2-3
Subtraction with regrouping
UK National Curriculum
Year 3
Formal written methods for subtraction
IGCSE
Foundation
Subtraction with borrowing
Singapore Math
Primary 2-3
Subtraction with regrouping
Australian Curriculum
ACMNA055
Subtract using mental and written strategies
IB PYP
Year 3
Subtraction algorithms
Canadian Curriculum
Grade 3
Subtraction with regrouping
New Zealand
Level 2
Advanced subtraction strategies
UAE
Grade 3
Subtraction with borrowing
Saudi Arabia
Grade 3
Subtraction with regrouping
ICSE (India)
Class 3
Subtraction with borrowing
State Boards (India)
Class 3
Subtraction with regrouping
NCERT (India)
Class 3
Subtraction with regrouping
All other curricula (21-50)
Grade 3-4 equivalent
Subtraction with regrouping