Subtract decimals

  2. Basic Math Decoded
  3. Subtract decimals
 
154.26 - 148.9318
 
Place one number above the other so that the bottom decimal point is directly below and lined up with the top decimal point. Draw a line under the bottom number. If necessary add zeroes to the right of the decimal point to make it easier to align the columns.
 
          
  154.2600
- 148.9318
          
 
Subtract 8 from 0. The digit being subtracted is larger than the digit above it, regroup digits by borrowing a digit from the next column on the left, subtract (10 - 8 = 2) and place the answer below the line in the column being added.
As digit on the next column on the left is 0, it is necessary to borrow a digit from the column on the left of this one, which will be effective in the next step.
 
        9
  154.2600
- 148.9318
         2
 
Subtract 1 from 9 (9 - 1 = 8) and place the answer below the line in the column being added.
Regroup digits by borrowing a digit from the next column due to the original digit in the minuend was 0.
 
       59
  154.2600
- 148.9318
        82
 
Subtract 3 from 5 (5 - 3 = 2) and place the answer below the line in the column being added.
 
       59
  154.2600
- 148.9318
       282
 
Subtract 9 from 2. The digit being subtracted is larger than the digit above it, regroup digits by borrowing a digit from the next column on the left, subtract (12 - 9 = 3) and place the answer below the line in the column being added.
 
    3  59
  154.2600
- 148.9318
      3282
 
Place the decimal point in the answer directly below the decimal points in the terms.
 
    3  59
  154.2600
- 148.9318
     .3282
 
Subtract 8 from 3. The digit being subtracted is larger than the digit above it, regroup digits by borrowing a digit from the next column on the left, subtract (13 - 8 = 5) and place the answer below the line in the column being added.
 
   43  59
  154.2600
- 148.9318
    5.3282
 
Subtract 4 from 4 (4 - 4 = 0) and place the answer below the line in the column being added.
 
   43  59
  154.2600
- 148.9318
   05.3282
 
Subtract 1 from 1 (1 - 1 = 0). The answer is 0 and this is the last column, so it is not necessary to place the answer below the line.
 
   43  59
  154.2600
- 148.9318
   05.3282
 
Final answer
 
  154.2600
- 148.9318
    5.3282
 
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