How to subtract numbers? Let's learn with an example
The operation to perform: 52 - 37
Method used below: column subtracting, from right to left (traditional)
- Stack the numbers on top of each other.
- The ones digits line up in the first column from the right.
- The tens digits line up in the next column to the left.
5 2 - 3 7
?
- Subtract column by column; start with the column on the right.
- Subtract the digits in the ones column: 2 - 7 = ?
- The second digit is larger than the first. We need to borrow from the next column to the left:
- Subtract 1 from the top digit in the column of the tens: 5 - 1 = 4.
- Cross out the top digit you've borrowed 1 from:
5. - Write the answer above that digit: 4.
- When borrowing, 1 ten = 10 ones: add 10 to the top digit in the column of the ones: 10 + 2 = 12.
- The second digit is larger than the first. We need to borrow from the next column to the left:
4 512 - 3 7 - After borrowing, the subtraction has become: 12 - 7 = 5.
- 5 is the ones digit - write it down at the base of the ones column:
4 512 - 3 7 5
54 - 3 = 1.- 1 is the tens digit - write it down at the base of the tens column.
4 512 - 3 7 1 5