More and less

Comparison problems use two bars, one under the other, so you can see the difference. If Ana has more than Ben, Ana's bar is longer, and the extra length is the difference.

The trick is to cover up the extra. Once the difference is taken off, the two bars are the same length, and the rest is sharing equally.

For example: Ana has $15 more than Ben, and together they have $85. Take the $15 away and $70 is left in two equal bars, so each equal bar is $35. Ben has the short bar; Ana has $35 plus the extra.