Why is addition easier than subtraction?

After thinking about this question for a few minutes, I have a hypothesis concerning why addition sometimes is easier than subtraction. (This answer reflects how arithmetic is taught in the U.S.) To simplify a bit, I will assume that the number in question are two positive integers. read more

Two studies were conducted to understand why subtraction with fluency is harder than addition. In Study I, 33 kindergartners were individually asked to transfer cubes from a glass to an empty bottle, one by one, with one-to-one correspondence with the interviewer. read more

Best Answer: Probably because we're adding more to the number, they are going up and forewards whereas subtraction and division are breaking up numbers and going backwards. It is easier to go forwards than to go backwards. read more