Subtract Decimals

We can use models to subtract decimals

Steps to follow to subtract two decimals (2.50 - 1.35):

Step 1: Model 2.50
Show 2.50 by coloring two whole grids and coloring 50/100 (50 boxes) of the third grid red.

Step 2: Model 2.50 - 1.35
Cross out the entire first grid and 35 colored boxes of the second grid.

Step 3: Count the number of shaded boxes that are not crossed out
The number of shaded boxes that are not crossed out = 115
                                                                              = 100 + 15
100 boxes = 1; 5 boxes = 0.15
2.50 - 1.35 = 0.15

To subtract two decimals, both the decimals should have the same number of decimal places. We can attach 0s to the end of the decimals.
100 - 15.62 = 100.00 - 15.62

Steps to follow to subtract decimals (2.32 - 1.11):
Step 1: Line up the decimal points

  2.32
- 1.11

Step 2: Subtract each place. Regroup if needed. Write the decimal point

 2.32
-1.11
 1.21

To subtract two decimals, both the decimals should have the same number of decimal places. We can attach 0s to the end of the decimals

Steps to follow to subtract two decimals using trade-first method:

Step 1: Draw lines to separate the 1s, 0.1s, and 0.01s places

Step 2: Subtract the numbers in each column. Write each difference in its column

Step 3: If there are not enough hundredths to subtract, trade 1 tenth for the corresponding hundredth

Step 4: If there are not enough tenths to subtract, trade 1 ones for the corresponding tenth

To subtract two decimals, both the decimals should have the same number of decimal places. We can attach 0s to the end of the decimals

Steps to follow to subtract two decimals using Left-to-Right Subtraction Method (5.70 - 2.13):

Step 1: Subtract the ones
5.70 - 2.00 = 3.70

Step 2: Subtract the tenths
3.70 - 0.10 = 3.60

Step 3: Subtract the hundredths
3.60 - 0.03 = 3.57

To subtract two decimals, both the decimals should have the same number of decimal places. We can attach 0s to the end of the decimals

Steps to follow to subtract two decimals using Counting-Up Method (3.45 - 2.15):
Step 1: Count up
Count up from 2.15 to 3.45

Step 2: Add the numbers by which we counted up