The operation to perform:
- 54 - 38
Add the numbers as if they were positive.
But at the end attach a minus sign in front of the result.
Method used below: column adding, 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.
Add column by column; start from the column on the right.
Add the digits in the ones column:
4 + 8 = 12
How did we add the digits? Explanation below.
Group the ones together in order to make tens:
4 + 8 =
4 + 8 =
2 + 2 + 8 =
2 + 2 + 8 =
(2 + 8) + 2 =
10 + 2 =
12
Change the order in which the numbers are added, the sum stays the same.
Break some number(s) into component parts, the sum stays the same.
The sum is a two-digit number: 12.
2 is the ones digit.
Write it down at the base of the ones column.
1 is the tens digit.
Carry it over to the tens column.
Write the digit above that column.
Add it with the rest of the digits in that column.