Subtract Decimals Explanation Examples

As well as addition, the subtraction of decimal fractions is performed according to the rules of subtraction in a column of natural numbers.

Basic rules for subtracting decimals.

• Equalize the number of decimal places.
• Write the decimal fractions under each other so that the commas are under each other.
• Perform the subtraction of decimal fractions, not paying attention to commas, according to the rules of subtraction in a column of natural numbers.
• We put in the answer a comma under commas.

How to subtract decimals in another way

If you feel confident in decimal fractions and understand well what are called tenths, hundredths, etc., we suggest you try a different way of subtracting (adding) decimal fractions without writing them to the bar.

Another way to subtract decimals , like addition, is based on three basic rules.

• Subtract decimals from right to left . That is, starting with the rightmost decimal.

• It is necessary to subtract by digits. Whole of the whole, tenths of the tenths, hundredths of the hundredths, thousandths of the thousandths, etc.

• When subtracting a larger number from a smaller one, we occupy a dozen of the lower left of our neighbor.

As usual, consider an example:

• Subtract from right to left from the rightmost digit. We have the rightmost figure in both fractions - hundredths. 1 - in the first number, 1 - in the second. Here we deduct them. 1 - 1 = 0. It turned out 0, which means that in place of the hundredth of a new number, we write zero.

  

• Tenths are subtracted from tenths. 2 - in the first number, 3 - in the second number. Since we cannot deduct 3 (more) from 2 (the smaller one), we occupy a dozen from the neighbor on the left for 2. We have 5. Now we are not subtracting 3 from 2, but subtracting from 12, 3.
  12 - 3 = 9.
  In the place of the tenths of the new number we write 9. We do not forget that after taking a dozen out of 5, we must subtract 5 from one. In order not to forget this, we place an empty circle over 5.

  

• Finally, subtract whole parts. 14 - in the first number (do not forget that we subtracted 1 from 5), 8 - in the second number. 14 - 8 = 6

  

In the second number, the rightmost figure is 2 (one hundredth), and in the first number, one hundredth is not explicitly. Therefore, we add zero to the first number to the right of 9 and subtract it according to the basic rules.