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Subtract Decimals

Again, subtraction of decimals is just like that of addition except that now we'll subtract.

For example let's look at: 13.74 - 5.09. This horizontal expression can be rewritten vertically just as we did with addition so it's easy to keep track of the decimal point.

1 3. 7 4
- 5. 0 9
  8 6 5

Steps:

  1. We can't take 9 from 4, so we'll need to borrow 10 for the next left digit.
  2. Borrowing from 7 (which represents 70) we now have 10 + 4 or 14.
  3. 14 - 9 = 5.
  4. Now the 7 has been changed to 6 and so has a value of 60.
  5. 60 - 0 = 60.
  6. 1300 - 500 = 800.
  7. 5 + 60 + 800 = 865.

Now try it on your own...

Subtract the following decimals. Use scratch paper and rewrite each problem vertically so you can line up the decimal points. After you have an answer, click on the box next to the question to see how you did. If you have any questions, please post them to the Discussion Forum so that you can get help working thru the problem.

  1. 46.58 - 36.46 =
  2. 5 - 3.14 =

Remember...

Any whole number N can be written as N.0 = N.00 = N.000 etc.

For example, 8 = 8.0 = 8.00 = 8.000, and so on.

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