Why are subtraction facts so hard for children to learn?

Edward C. Rathmell
University of Northern Iowa

Subtraction facts are difficult for students to learn. They are generally much harder to learn than addition facts.

First, the language that is used for subtraction tends to be independent of the language that we use for addition. Consequently, students do not connect the two operations. They tend to learn subtraction as an independent operation. Using part-part-whole language helps students better understand the relationship between addition and subtraction.

Second, the easy thinking strategies only help children with about half of the subtraction facts. The other facts can not be easily solved without using some derived fact strategy. These are generally more difficult for students to learn. In fact, many students do not learn these derived fact strategies without careful instruction. In contrast, generalizations, counting on, and doubles help children with almost all of the addition facts.

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