Digit Math Mobile Website top of page banner imageSitemap

Mobile Math Website

Math Subtraction

Go HomeEveryday Mathematics

Subtraction is the application of established properties, rules and methods to reduce the sum of numeric quantity. Simple integer subtraction only considers positive whole numbers, but the result can be negative, zero or positive.

Subtraction Rules

 and Properties

  1. Uses math integers,
  2. Can use fractions or decimal values,
  3. Uses the “−” (minus sign) to separate quantities,
  4. Uses “=” (equal to) math signs to separate quantities to  be subtracted from the result, and
  5. Answers can be negative, zero or positive values.
Six apples and six oranges.

Six apples and six oranges is not a dozen of either apples or oranges. We do not sum or subtract items that are not the same. We could be interested in the total number of apples and oranges if they were combined. Like the same box or bag, to make sure the container is large enough for all items.

Single Digit Subtraction

1 − 1 = 0

7 − 5 = 2

9 − 1 = 8

6 − 0 = 6

−1 − 1 = −2

−7 − 5 = −12

−9 − 1 = −10

−6 − 0 = −6

Double Digit Subtraction

2 digit subtraction when one or more numbers is 2 digits.

34

− 27

7

Can be written or expressed as:

 34 − 27 = 7

Without subtraction borrowing:

30 − 20 =  10

0407 =  −3

34 − 27 =    7

We must work with the −3 value (10 − 3) to  determine the answer.

Without subtraction borrowing:

(30 − 10) − 20 = 20 − 20 = 0

(10 + 04) − 07 = 1407 = 7

                             34 − 27 = 7

When subtracting 7 from 4, (4 − 7), it results in −3 (as shown above). Recognizing the result is negative we “borrow” 1 from the nearest left column. Each 1 that is borrowed from the nearest left column has a value 10 times greater than the column that is borrowing. The ten is added to 4 resulting in the value of 14, (10 + 4).

49

− 7

− 83

− 41

Can be expressed as: 49 − 7 − 83 = − 41

40

9

49

0

7

7

80

3

83

=

=

=

−40

−1

−41

Group numbers to be subtracted using parenthesis:

(49 − 7) − 83 = 42 − 83 =  −41

40

2

42

80

3

83

=

=

=

−40

−1

−41

3 Digit Subtraction

Three digit subtraction - one or more numbers is 3 digits.

125

− 362

− 839

−1,076

Can be expressed as:  

125 − 362 − 839 =  −1,076

Without grouping numbers:

100

20

5

125

300

60

2

362

800

30

9

839

=

=

=

=

−1000

−70

−6

−1,076

Group numbers to be subtracted using parenthesis:

(125 − 362) − 839 = −1,076

100

20

5

(125

=

=

=

=

300

60

2

362)

−200

40

3

−237

(−237) − 839 =  −1,076

−200

−30

−7

−237

800

30

90

839

=

=

=

=

−1000

−60

−16

−1,076

Top of PageAbout UsPrivacy

Copyright © DigitMath.com

All Rights Reserved.