Math for pre schooler

[bibigum]

Hi parents
I have a very dumb question (I'm not a native speaker) 4-1 = 3.
I've been saying four minus one. I've been told that's wrong and it's 1 minus 4

Oops. forgot to type crucial part of the sentence how do you say it with words?

You are right?it's four minus one equals three".

One minus 4 is written 1-4

With a young child I'd say 4 take away 1.

Who on earth told you you're wrong?!!!

4 minus 1
4 take away 1
1 less than 4

1 minus 4 equals minus three. That is a different sum to those above.

4-3 = 1 whereas 1-4 = -3.

Another non native 😂 we both studied in unis here, but super simple things sometimes can confuse us (at least me and him!)

Thank you all! @MulledWineBeMine yes I think that's the clearest way!

It’s definitely 4 takeaway 1 at this age.
I use minus too and my 7 yr old gets so confused because they use ‘takeaway’ at school!

Ah it's good to know what they will use in school (don't think my DC has learnt it in school yet).

4 minus 1 or to make it simpler, 4 take away 1.