Regrouping (or borrowing) is one of the most common pain points in subtraction because it requires students to understand place value deeply and manage multiple steps simultaneously. When a student can't subtract the ones place digit from the ones place number, they must "borrow" from the tens place—a concept that's abstract and easy to confuse. Many students forget to reduce the tens digit after borrowing, or they lose track of which numbers they've already regrouped. Personalized tutoring can break this process into smaller, manageable steps and use visual aids or manipulatives to make the concept concrete and memorable.

Word problems require students to read carefully, identify relevant information, translate language into mathematical operations, and execute the calculation correctly. Many students rush through reading or misinterpret what's being asked. Expert tutors work with students to develop a systematic approach: reading the problem twice, underlining key numbers and words, rephrasing the problem in their own words, deciding which operation to use, and checking whether their answer makes sense. Through guided practice with increasingly complex problems, students build confidence and learn to recognize subtraction scenarios across different contexts.

Varsity Tutors connects students in San Francisco with experienced tutors who specialize in building subtraction skills and confidence. With over 229 schools and diverse learning needs across the city's 17 school districts, personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to tailor their teaching to your student's pace and learning style. Whether your student needs to strengthen foundational skills, master regrouping, or build speed and accuracy, you can get matched with a tutor who understands the specific challenges your student faces.

Consistent, focused practice is key to building fluency. Effective strategies include daily practice with fact families (like 7 - 3 = 4, 7 - 4 = 3, and 3 + 4 = 7) to strengthen memory and understanding, timed drills that gradually increase in speed while maintaining accuracy, and varied problem types to prevent boredom and deepen understanding. Practice testing—solving problems without looking up answers, then checking work—helps identify weak areas. Spacing practice over time rather than cramming also improves retention. A tutor can design a personalized practice plan that targets your student's specific gaps and gradually builds confidence and speed.

Mental subtraction is a valuable skill that makes math faster and builds number sense. Students can learn strategies like counting up from the smaller number to the larger number, decomposing numbers into easier chunks, or using a reference number to simplify problems. For example, to subtract 38 from 75, a student might count up from 38 to 75, or subtract 40 and then add 2 back. Tutors teach these strategies progressively, starting with simple problems and building to more complex ones. Regular practice with games, verbal problems, and real-world scenarios (like making change) reinforces mental math skills and makes subtraction feel less mechanical and more intuitive.

Watch for signs like difficulty with single-digit subtraction facts even after practice, avoiding subtraction problems or showing math anxiety, making frequent careless errors or forgetting steps in regrouping, struggling to solve word problems that involve subtraction, or falling behind peers in math. Some students also rush through problems without checking work or mix up subtraction with addition. If your student is in one of San Francisco's 17 school districts and showing these signs, personalized tutoring can provide targeted support. Early intervention is especially important because subtraction skills form the foundation for division, fractions, and algebra—gaps now can compound later.