Q&A for How to Subtract

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  • Question
    What about subtracting larger numbers from smaller numbers? For example, 1.2 - 4.7. Is there an easy way to do this, going into negatives?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    You subtract the smaller number from the larger number and put a negative sign in front of the answer.
  • Question
    How do I subtract 3-digit numbers?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Do it the way it's shown above with two-digit numbers, but continue the same process into the hundreds column.
  • Question
    How do I borrow when the top number is a 0?
    Community Answer
    When the top number is a 0, you go to the next number to the left, borrow 1 from that number, and turn the 0 into a 10.
  • Question
    What if the top number is 10 and the bottom is 0 how do you subtract then?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    If the bottom number is zero, there is no need to change the top number by borrowing. Subtracting zero does nothing to the top number.
  • Question
    How do I subtract from a negative number?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    (1) If you subtract a positive number from a negative number, you increase the negative number in the negative direction. For example, subtracting a positive 2 from a negative 4 results in a negative 6. (2) If you subtract a negative number from a negative number, you add together the absolute values of the two numbers and place a minus sign in front of the sum. For example, subtracting a negative 3 from a negative 5 means you add 3 plus 5 to give 8, and put a minus sign in front: -8.
  • Question
    Instead of using the borrow method of subtracting, how do I use the method of adding up the smaller numbers until I get to the bigger number and then adding all of those numbers together?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    You're suggesting a method that is much more time-consuming than regular subtraction. Keep practicing the "borrow method." You'll understand it soon, and it will save you lots of time.
  • Question
    How can I subtract numbers if there is only one number with a decimal?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Give the other number a decimal point, too, and subtract as usual. For example, if you're subtracting 12.4 from 15, write 15 as 15.0, and proceed as usual: 15.0 - 12.4 = 2.6.
  • Question
    How do I subtract a number when the top number has 3 zeros?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    The answer is too long for this format. Do a web search for "subtraction borrowing from zero."
  • Question
    How do I borrow when the top number is 900.00 Bottom number is 623.23
    I_l1ke_gam3s
    Community Answer
    Make the 9 an 8, make the 0 in the tens, ones, and tenths place a 9, and make the 0 in the hundredths place a 10. You'd get 276.77, your final answer.
  • Question
    How do I subtract large numbers?
    I_l1ke_gam3s
    Community Answer
    No matter how large or small the numbers are, you still do the exact same thing.
  • Question
    What's the answer to 1/2 - 2/8?
    I_l1ke_gam3s
    Community Answer
    Because 1/2 is equal to 4/8, because 1/2 x 4/4 = 4/8, your answer would be 4/8 - 2/8. Your final answer is 2/8, and that is equal to 1/4, or 0.25 as a decimal.
  • Question
    How do you subtract 36 - 26.3?
    Community Answer
    Write it as 36.0 - 26.3. The answer is 9.7.
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