1.3.2

Subtraction

Test yourself

Column Method Subtraction

The column method can help you add and subtract large numbers or numbers with decimals.

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What is 5562.8 - 1435.7?

  • This is hard to work out in your head.
Illustrative background for 1) Subtract right hand columnIllustrative background for 1) Subtract right hand column ?? "content

1) Subtract right hand column

  • Make sure the decimal points of both numbers are lined up so you don't confuse place values.
  • Start subtracting from the the right hand side.
Illustrative background for 2) Subtract 2nd columnIllustrative background for 2) Subtract 2nd column ?? "content

2) Subtract 2nd column

  • If we subtract 5 from 2 we will get a negative number.
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3) Borrow a 1

  • If this happens we 'borrow' a 1 from the next number to the left on the top line.
    • Now we are calculating 12 - 5 = 7.
Illustrative background for 4) Subtract 3rd columnIllustrative background for 4) Subtract 3rd column ?? "content

4) Subtract 3rd column

  • Because we 'borrowed' from the 6 we now calculate 5 - 3 = 2.
Illustrative background for 5) Subtract 4th columnIllustrative background for 5) Subtract 4th column ?? "content

5) Subtract 4th column

  • Continue to work to the left subtracting one column at a time.
Illustrative background for 6) Subtract left hand columnIllustrative background for 6) Subtract left hand column ?? "content

6) Subtract left hand column

  • 5562.8 - 1435.7 = 4127.1

Jump to other topics

1Number

1.1Place Value

1.2Factors & Multiples

1.3Operations

1.4Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

1.5Growth & Decay

1.6Measurements & Units

1.7Accuracy

2Algebra

3Ratio, Proportion & Rates of Change

4Geometry & Measures

5Probability

6Statistics

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