Subtracting decimals

In this post we will learn how to subtract decimal numbers.
The concept is easy and very similar to subtraction of whole numbers.

How to subtract decimals

In order to subtract the decimals, do the following steps:

(a) Decimal Place Values
Make sure that both the number have same place values after decimals.

For number with less decimal place value, insert 0 at the end of the decimal number

(b) Vertical Arrangement
Vertically arrange both the numbers such that digits with same place values are in same line.

(c) Subtract the numbers
Start subtracting numbers from left to right.
The process is same as you subtract the whole numbers.


These are the three easy steps for subtraction of decimals.
Now enough with the theory, let’s study the concept with some examples.

Example 01
Subtract 2.3 with 1.1

Solution
Let’s follow the above three steps of decimal subtraction

(a) Place Value of numbers
Both the given number have same decimal place values

2.3 ⟹ One place value after decimal
1.1 ⟹ One place value after decimal

Using images to learn subtraction

Hence, no changes needed in this step

(b) Vertical Arrangement
Arrange numbers such that number with same place values are in same line

Understand subtraction of decimals with examples

(c) Subtract numbers from right to left

How do you do subtraction with decimals

The above subtraction completes using below steps:

⟹ Subtracting Tenth Place Value ( 3 – 1 = 2)
⟹ Subtracting Ones Place Value ( 2 – 1 = 1 )

Hence, 1.2 is the solution

Example 02
Subtract 17.6 – 5.23

Solution
Follow the three steps as mentioned above:

(a) Decimal Place Values
17.6 ⟹ one decimal value
5.23 ⟹ two decimal value

We need all numbers with same decimal place value.
So we add zero at the end of 17.6

How to subtract two decimals

(b) Vertical Arrangement
Arrange numbers vertically so that digits with same place values are in same line

Saxon Math decimal subtraction

(c) Subtract numbers from right to left

Subtracting decimals saxon math

Hence, 12.37 is the solution

Example 03
Subtract 6.003 with 0.33

Solution
Follow the below steps:

(a) Decimal Place Values
Here numbers have different number of decimal digits
6.003 ⟹ three decimal digits
0.33 ⟹ two decimal digits

To make decimal digits equal on both numbers, we have to add zero at the end of 0.33

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(b) Arrange numbers vertically
Both the numbers are arranged in such way that digits with same place values are in same line

Grade 5 free math class

(c) Subtract numbers from right to left

Simple methods to subtract two decimals

Hence, 5.673 is the solution

Example 04
Subtracting decimal from Whole number
⟹ 24 – 13.55

Solution
The Subtraction process is same as we discussed above

(a) Decimal Place Value
24 ⟹ No Decimal Place
13.55 ⟹ Two decimal Number

So we insert two zeros after decimal in 24, so that all number have same decimal digits.

Subtracting decimals from whole number

(b) Vertical Arrangement
Arrange numbers vertically so digits with same place value are in same line

How to subtract whole number with decimal

(c) Start subtraction from right to left

Subtracting whole number with decimal

10.45 is the right answer

Example 05
Subtract 9452.12 with 736.628

Solution
(a) Place values of decimal
9452.12 ⟹ has two decimal digits
736.628 ⟹ has three decimal digits

Insert 0 at the end of 9452.12 to make both the numbers with same decimal place

Subtract decimals 9452.12 -  736.628

(b) Arrange numbers vertically

How to teach subtraction of decimals

(c) Subtract number from right to left

Learn subtraction of decimals

8715.492 is the solution

Decimal Subtraction Worksheet – Grade 5

Given below are set of numbers which you have to subtract and find the right answer.
All the questions have been provided with solution for reference

(01) Subtract the decimal
⟹ 9.1 – 0.52

(a) 8.51
(b) 8.56
(c) 8.59
(d) 5.85

Read Solution
How do you subtract two decimals

8.58 is the solution
Option (d) is correct

(02) Subtract the decimal
⟹ 0.37 – 0.08

(a) 0.29
(b) 0.34
(c) 0.22
(d) 0.32

Read Solution
Decimal subtraction Grade 5

0.29 is the solution
Option (a) is the right answer

(03) Subtract the decimal
⟹ 5.5 – 0.04

(a) 4.79
(b) 4.45
(c) 5.46
(d) 5.24

Read Solution
Free Math Lessons on subtraction of decimals

5.46 is the solution
Option (c) is the right answer

(04) Find the answer for below subtraction
⟹ 101.25 – 2.05

(a) 101.2
(b) 99.20
(c) 98.7
(d) 97.6

Read Solution
Subtracting decimal numbers

99.20 is the solution
Option (b) is the right answer

(05) Subtract the below decimal
⟹ 0.36 – 0.142

(a) 0.218
(b) 0.245
(c) 0.269
(d) 0.322

Read Solution
How to subtract two decimals

0.218 is the solution
Option (a) is the right answer


(06) Subtract the decimals
⟹ 9.2 – 6.354

(a) 2.498
(b) 2.336
(c) 2.846
(d) 2.945

Read Solution
Subtracting decimals Grade 5

2.846 is the right answer
Option (c) is the solution

(07) Subtract: 854.1 – 505.26

(a) 350.92
(b) 348.84
(c) 351.75
(d) 347.51

Read Solution
Questions on subtraction of decimals for  Grade 5

348.84 is the solution
Option (b) is the right answer

(08) Subtract: 10.7 – 3.6

(a) 6.8
(b) 7.4
(c) 6.5
(d) 7.1

Read Solution
Simple steps to subtract decimals

7.1 is the solution
Option (d) is the right answer


(09) Subtract: 1249.36 – 204.18

(a) 1045.18
(b) 1045.26
(c) 1044.36
(d) 1044.18

Read Solution
How to subtract decimal numbers

1045.18 is the solution
Option (a) is the right choice

(10) Subtract : 0.1 – 0.02

(a) 0.05
(b) 0.06
(c) 0.07
(d) 0.08

Read Solution
Subtract decimals 0.1-0.02

0.08 is the solution
Option (d) is the right choice




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