DECIMAL NUMBER SUBTRACTION

Concept for Subtracting Numbers with Decimals: Use subtraction to find the difference between two numbers or amounts. The answer to a subtraction equation is called the difference. Follow these steps to subtract numbers with decimals.

Steps for Subtracting Numbers with Decimals

Step 1 | Arrange the numbers being subtracted so that the larger number is on top.
Step 2 | Arrange the numbers being subtracted so the decimal points are aligned.
Step 3 | If the number of decimals (digits to the right of the decimal point) is not the same in both the numbers being subtracted, equalize the number of decimals by adding zeros to the right of the number with the fewest decimals until it has the same number of decimals as the other number.
Step 4 | Start with the column furthest to the right. Subtract the numbers in that column, placing the results underneath the Results Line in that column. When a digit in the bottom number is greater than the digit above it, you must borrow from the column to the left.
Step 5 | Continue from right to left, subtracting the numbers in each column. Whenever a digit in the bottom number is greater than the digit above it, you must borrow from the column to the left.
Step 6 | Check your answer by adding the difference and the number you subtracted. The sum should equal the top number in the original problem.

Example for Subtracting Numbers with Decimals: Subtract 5.003 from 10.03

Step 1 | Arrange the numbers being subtracted so that the larger number (10.03) is on top. | 10.03 5.003
Step 2 | Arrange the numbers being subtracted so the decimal points are aligned. | 10.03 – 5.003
Step 3 | If the number of decimals (digits to the right of the decimal point) is not the same in both the numbers being subtracted, equalize the number of decimals by adding zeros to the right of the number with the fewest decimals until it has the same number of decimals as the other number. | 10.03 0 – 5.003
Step 4 | Start with the column furthest to the right. Subtract the numbers in that column, placing the result underneath the Results Line in that column. Oops. Note that you can not subtract 3 from 0, because 3 is greater than 0. You therefore need to borrow. | 10.03 0 – 5.00 3
| When a digit in the bottom number is greater than the digit above it, you must borrow from the column to the left. Since you can not subtract 3 from 0, because 3 is greater than 0, you need to borrow 1 from the column to the left, the hundredths column in 10.0 3 0. That drops the value in the hundredths column from 3 to 2, and raises the value in the thousandths column from 0 to 10. Write these new values above the original values. | 2 10 10.0 3 0 – 5.00 3
| Now complete the subtraction in the thousandths column: 10 – 3 = 7. | 2 10 10.0 3 0 – 5.00 3 7
Step 5 | Since you work from right to left, subtracting the numbers in each column as you go, now subtract the hundredths column: 2 – 0 = 2 | 2 10 10.03 0 – 5.0 0 3 2 7
| Now, move to the tenths column: 0 – 0 = 0 | 2 10 10.0 3 0 – 5.0 0 3 0 2 7
| Complete the equation by subtracting the whole numbers: 10 – 5 = 5 Our answer is: 10.03 – 5.003 = 5.027 | 2 10 10.0 3 0 – 5.0 0 3 5.0 2 7
Step 6 | Check your answer by adding the difference (5.027) and the number you subtracted (5.003). The sum (10.03) should equal the top number in the original problem. | 5.027 + 5.003 10.03