SUBTRACTING DECIMALS - METHOD OF SUBTRACTING WITH SOLVED EXAMPLE AND EXERCISE

Please study Subtraction before Subtracting Decimals

if you have not already done so.

The knowledge of the method of Subtracting whole numbers
with vertical presentation and borrow method
is a prerequisite here. Once you master Subtracting
whole numbers, the method described here,
is easy to follow.

But remember that, simple things need perfection
and perfection is not a simple thing.

Study the Example and solve the problems
given in exercise and check with the Answers.

The following note is made use of here.

Note :

putting any number of zeroes to the extreme right
side of the decimal part of a decimal number does
not change the value of the decimal number.

Method of subtracting Decimals

Step 1 :
For the given decimals, to be added,
Make the number of digits after the decimal
point equal by putting zeroes to the extreme
right side of the decimal part, if required.

Step 2 :
Write the smaller number under the larger in
column form in such a way that the decimal points
of both the decimals are in the same column and the
digits at the same place are in the same column.

Step 3 :
Subtract as in the case of whole numbers.

Step 4 :
In the difference, put the decimal point directly under the
decimal points of the given decimals.

Example of subtracting Decimals

Find the difference 215.4 - 69.845

Solution:
In the given two numbers, there are maximum
three digits after the decimal point.

Make both the numbers, to have three digits
after the decimal point by putting zeros to the
extreme right side of the decimal part.

So, the given decimals become
215.400 and 69.845.

Let us write these decimal numbers one under the
other (with the smaller one below the bigger one) in column form so that the decimal points
of both the numbers are in the same column and the
digits at the same place are in the same column.

                      215.400
                       69.845
                    ----------  
                      
                    ----------

                  21110514.41309010
                       69.845
                    ----------  
                      145.555
                    ----------

If you have any doubts in this borrow method
Please go to Subtraction
and study the explanation given for the examples there.

Thus, 215.4 - 69.845 = 145.555. Ans.

Exercise on Subtracting Decimals

1. Find the difference 157.17 - 102.38
2. Find the difference 48.3 - 29.571

Answers to Exercise on Subtracting Decimals

1. 54.79
2. 18.729