Q&A for How to Subtract

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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