Written Methods for Subtracting Large Numbers

Subtracting Numbers with More than 4 Digits

When subtracting larger numbers, you use written methods to show your workings. You should use the column method for subtracting. You use the column method slightly differently when subtracting.

Column method

Line up the place value in the two numbers you are trying to subtract.
- I'm trying to do 7,401 − 3,111 here.

Start at the 'ones'

Start by subtracting from the 'ones' column.
- The 'ones' column has the calculation 2 − 1 = 1.

Next, you subtract the 'tens'

Next, you move to the 'tens' column.
- The 'tens' column has the calculation 0 − 1.
- You cannot write the answer to 0 − 1 in the column.
- You need to use 'borrowing' to find your answer.

Borrowing

'Borrowing' is when you borrow 1 from the next biggest column.
- In this example, you need to borrow 1 'hundred' from 4 'hundreds'.
- Borrowing 1 'hundred' from 4 'hundreds' leaves you with 3 'hundreds' and 10 'tens'.

After you've 'borrowed'

Now you can complete the subtraction in the 'tens' column.
- The 'tens' column now has the calculation 10 − 1 = 9.

Now subtract the 'hundreds'

Next, subtract from the 'hundreds' column.
- The 'hundreds' column has the calculation 3 − 1 = 2.
- The calculation in the 'hundreds' column is 3 − 1 and NOT 4 − 1.

Lastly, subtract the 'thousands'

Finally, subtract from the 'thousands' column.
- The 'thousands' column has the calculation 7 − 3 = 4.

1Year 3 - Number

2Year 3 - Measurement

2.1Length

2.1.1Length

2.1.2Comparing Lengths

2.1.3Add & Subtract Lengths

2.1.4Perimeter

2.2Mass

2.2.1Mass

2.2.2Comparing Masses

2.2.3Add & Subtract Masses

2.3Volume & Capacity

2.3.1Volume & Capacity

2.3.2Comparing Volumes

2.3.3Add & Subtract Volumes

2.4Money

2.4.1Money

2.4.2Counting Money

2.4.3Adding & Subtracting Money

2.5Time

2.5.1Units of Time

2.5.2Clocks

2.5.3Telling the Time

2.5.4Time of the Day

2.5.512-Hour & 24-Hour Clocks

2.5.6Measuring Time

3Year 3 - Geometry

3.1Angles

3.1.1Angles in Degrees

3.1.2Types of Angle

3.2Properties of Shapes

3.2.12D Shapes

3.2.23D Shapes

3.3Straight Lines

3.3.1Straight Lines

3.3.2Parallel & Perpendicular Lines

4Year 3 - Statistics

4.1Statistics

4.1.1Statistics

4.1.2Pictograms & Bar Charts

5Year 4 - Number

6Year 4 - Measurement

6.1Units

6.1.1Metric Measurements

6.1.2Adding & Subtracting Money

6.2Time

6.2.1Converting Units of Time

6.2.2Changing the 12-Hour Clock to the 24-Hour Clock

6.2.3Changing the 24-hour Clock to the 12-Hour Clock

7Year 4 - Geometry

7.1Properties of Shapes

7.1.1Symmetry

7.1.2Types of Triangle

7.1.3Quadrilaterals

7.2Perimeter & Area

7.2.1Perimeter

7.2.2Area

7.3Position & Direction

7.3.1Coordinates

7.3.2Translation

8Year 4 - Statistics

8.1Statistics

8.1.1Types of Data

8.1.2Pictograms & Bar Charts

8.1.3Line Graphs

Jump to other topics