Module 4 Calculating
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Can I find the difference between a pair of numbers?

Example review questions

  • What is the difference between 20 and 17? What number fact could you use to help?
  • How many more is 11 than 3?
  • How many less than 18 is 7?
  • How could you work out 25 subtract 16?
  • 11 + empty box = 14
  • How many more do you need to add to 27 to make 35?
  • 56 − 48 = 8. Can you read this number sentence and use the word difference?
  • Make two rows of cubes with a difference of 5.
  • Find three pairs of numbers with a difference of 10.
  • If you are 6 and your brother is 13, how much older is your brother?
  • I have read 7 of the 20 pages in my book. How many more pages must I read to finish the book?
  • You buy a banana for 26p and give the shopkeeper 30p. How much change will you get?

Teaching guidance

This teaching guidance document suggests some of the key vocabulary, models, images and practical equipment that children should experience and be able to use. It also includes some teaching tips to provide a few starting points for ways of supporting children with this area of mathematics.

PDF file Can I find the difference between a pair of numbers? - teaching guidance | 93KB new window

Consolidation and practice

These resources are to support children in guided or independent work.

PDF file ITP Guide | 4317KB new window

SWF file Difference ITP | 41KB new window

PDF file Understanding addition and subtraction models and images chart | 650KB new window

Supporting children with gaps in their mathematical understanding

PDF file Does not relate finding a difference and complementary addition to the operation of subtraction | 78KB new window

PDF file Resource booklet | 501KB new window

Opportunities to use and apply

Possible contexts include:

  • Questions involving reasoning, e.g. the difference between two numbers is 5. What might the two numbers be? Can you think of at least three other pairs of numbers where the difference is 5? How did you find these pairs of numbers?
  • Measures, e.g. Measure the length of your shoe and your friend's shoe to the nearest centimetre. Which shoe is longer? How much longer?
  • Data, e.g. ask questions that involve finding the difference between data represented on a pictogram or block graph.
  • Problem solving, e.g. what do you notice about pairs of numbers that have a difference of 10? Why is this?
  • Word problems, e.g. A coach has fifty seats. If a class of thirty-four children go to the zoo, how many adults could go with them?
  • Calendars, e.g. it is 17 May. How many more days is it until 25 May?

Confirming learning

Ask probing questions such as:

  • The difference between 25 and 33 is 8. How could you write this as a number sentence? What other words could you use to read this number sentence?
  • How could you find the difference between 17 and 24? What number facts might you use to help? What is the difference between 27 and 34? What do you notice? Work with a partner to find other pairs of numbers with the same difference. Do you notice a pattern?
  • Look at these numbers 25, 32, 34, 31, 27.
    Find the pair of numbers with a difference of 5. Make up a similar problem for someone else to answer.
  • Look at this number sentence, 23 = empty box − 7. What number is missing? How did you work it out?
  • Use a number line to help explain how you would find the difference between 15 and 33.