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Subtracting Numbers

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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.    Use math integers,

2.    Can Include fractions or decimal values,

3.    Use the “−” (minus sign) to separate quantities,

4.    Use “=” (equal to) math sign to separate quantities

       to be subtracted from the result, and

5.   Answers can be negative, zero or positive values.

Six apples and six oranges.

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

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.

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

Single Digit Subtraction Worksheet

Double Digit Subtraction Worksheet

Triple Digit Subtraction Worksheet

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