Learning
Edition 07 | July 2025
From Learning Data to Classroom Instruction
Explore how data-driven insights can transform teaching by addressing
misconceptions and fostering deeper understanding.
Correct answer: Option D
Most Common wrong answer: Option C
National Performance
What is the Question Testing?
This question tests students’ understanding of 2-digit subtraction with borrowing. It assesses whether students can correctly apply place value and regrouping when subtracting numbers where the unit digit of the subtrahend is greater than the unit digit of the minuend. It also checks attention to both the unit and tens place and how they interact during borrowing.
What is the Most Common Wrong Answer and Possible Misconception?
- Most Common Wrong Answer: Option C (32%)
Option C (4):
- Error Type: Partial application of borrowing or incorrect subtraction
- Reasoning: Students choosing this may have only looked at the tens place and subtracted 3 from 5 (incorrectly using 4 instead of 5), or assumed simple subtraction without regrouping, leading to an inaccurate estimate.
- Error Type: Underestimation and lack of regrouping
- Reasoning: Students may have misunderstood both places entirely, possibly subtracting each digit independently without borrowing logic.
- Error Type: Misinterpretation of place values
- Reasoning: Students may have tried to guess based on 6 — 7 being close to 9 or may have misunderstood what the top digit represents post-borrowing.
What Will Happen if Children Do Not Develop This Concept Adequately?
Impact on Understanding of Subtraction with Borrowing:
If students do not master regrouping, they will face challenges in all multi-digit subtraction problems. It also hampers their ability to handle money-related calculations, timelines, and subtraction in word problems.
Further Implications:
Persistent errors in borrowing reduce confidence in math, cause confusion in later topics involving decimals or algebra, and lead to rote learning rather than understanding.
If students do not master regrouping, they will face challenges in all multi-digit subtraction problems. It also hampers their ability to handle money-related calculations, timelines, and subtraction in word problems.
Further Implications:
Persistent errors in borrowing reduce confidence in math, cause confusion in later topics involving decimals or algebra, and lead to rote learning rather than understanding.
How Should I Remediate This in My Class?
Use Concrete and Visual Aids:
Demonstrate subtraction with borrowing using base-ten blocks or money models to show the
exchange of tens for units.
Use place value charts to explain the logic of borrow
Break Down the Steps:
Reinforce the Borrowing Logic:
Error Analysis:
By strengthening place value understanding and subtraction with regrouping, students gain both procedural fluency and conceptual clarity
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