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Learning to subtract can be an exciting adventure, especially when you start tackling bigger numbers! This guide is here to help you conquer multi-digit subtraction with confidence and maybe even a little fun along the way.
Let's dive in!
Why is Subtraction Order Important?
Imagine you have 5 cookies, and your friend wants to take 2. You can easily give them away, leaving you with 3 delicious cookies. But what if your friend started with 2 cookies and wanted to take 5 of yours? That wouldn't work out so well, would it?
Subtraction is like that! The order matters. We always start with the bigger number and take away the smaller one.
Setting Up Your Subtraction Problem
When you see a subtraction problem like this:
38 - 25 = ?
It's helpful to rewrite it vertically, just like you do with addition:
38
- 25
- Top Dog Wins: Always put the bigger number on top.
- Line 'Em Up: Make sure the ones place numbers are lined up neatly, and so are the tens.
- Minus Magic: Don't forget the minus sign on the left to remind you that you're subtracting!
Subtracting Like a Pro
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Ones Place First: Always start with the ones place column (the numbers on the far right). In our example, we have 8 - 5. That's easy peasy! 8 - 5 = 3. Write the '3' below the line in the ones place of your answer.
-
Moving to the Tens: Now, move to the tens place column. We have 3 - 2, which equals 1. Write the '1' next to the '3' in your answer.
38
- 25
13
Congratulations! You just subtracted 25 from 38 and found out the difference is 13.
What About Borrowing?
Sometimes, you'll encounter a problem where the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit. Don't worry; it happens to the best of us! This is where borrowing comes in handy.
Let's look at an example:
135
- 27
Uh oh! In the ones place, we have 5 - 7. We can't take 7 away from 5. Time to borrow!
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Ask Your Neighbor: The '5' needs help, so it asks the digit to its left, the '3' in the tens place, for a little loan.
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A Generous Loan: The '3' is happy to help and lends a '1' (which is actually a '10' because it's in the tens place).
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Becoming Bigger: The '1' joins the '5', turning it into a '15'. Now we have 15 - 7, which equals 8.
-
Don't Forget to Adjust: Remember that the '3' in the tens place gave away a '1'? It becomes a '2' now.
1 2 15
- 2 7
8
Now we can continue with the rest of the problem, subtracting as usual.
Borrowing from Zero: A Special Trick
What if you need to borrow from a zero? Since zero has nothing to give, you'll need to borrow from the next TWO digits instead of just one.
For example:
500
- 123
The '0' in the ones place needs to borrow, but it can't borrow from the other '0' in the tens place. So, it borrows from the '5' in the hundreds place, turning the '500' into '499' and allowing the '0' to become a '10'.
Practice Makes Perfect!
The best way to become a multi-digit subtraction superstar is to practice! You can find plenty of fun worksheets and games online or ask your teacher or parents for help.
Remember, everyone learns at their own pace, so be patient with yourself and celebrate your successes!
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