Decimal Subtraction

Decimal Subtraction: Write the numbers vertically, Lining up the decimal points in the numbers. Add zeros to all numbers to cause each number to have the same number of decimal digits. Copy the decimal point straight down into the answer.   Subtract by columns as if you were subtracting whole numbers.

The following are examples of subtracting decimals.

Subtracting Decimals
	Write the numbers vertically, lining up the decimal points.	Pad extra zeros after the decimal point.  Make each number have the same number of zeros after the decimal point	Copy the decimal point straight down into the answer.	Subtract the columns
7.4  -  7.33	7.4    -  7.33	7.40  -  7.33	7.40  - 7.33 .	7.40  -  7.33    0.07
9.87 -  6.4	9.87   -  6.4	9.87   - 6.40	9.87   - 6.40 .	9.87   - 6.40   3.47
0.44  -  0.3	0.44  - 0.3	0.44  - 0.30	0.44  - 0.30 .	0.44  - 0.30 0.14
0.615 -  0.61	0.615      - 0.61	0.615  - 0.610	0.615  - 0.610  .	0.615  - 0.610     0.005

Check Your Understanding

If you were to subtract the following pairs of numbers, which number of the pair would you "pad" with zeros....

1.   2.54 or 2.3       Answer 2.30

2.   32.5 or 3.23     Answer 32.50

3.   0.91 or .7          Answer .70

Check Your Understanding

1. Enter two numbers between 0 and 999.9999.
2. Think of what you believe the answer should be.
3. Click the button "Check" and check your answer.