4.7: Subtracting Decimals

Line up the Decimals

To subtract decimals you must subtract each digit from the digit of the same place value:

  • Subtract thousandths from thousandths.
  • Subtract hundredths from hundredths.
  • Subtract tenths from tenths.

The best way to do this is to line up your decimals.

How to Subtract Decimals

The same techniques that you used in adding decimals are helpful when you subtract decimals.

Step 1: Rewrite the problem. Write the first number. Put the amount you are subtracting underneath so the decimal points are in a straight column.

[latex]\begin{array}{rrl}0.468&-&0.3=\\ \uparrow &&\uparrow \\ \text{starting number}&&\text{subtracting this much}\end{array}[/latex]

[latex]\begin{array}{ll}&0.468\\-&0.3\\ \hline\end{array}[/latex]

Step 2: Put zeros at the end of the decimals so that all the decimals in the question have the same number of decimal places.

[latex]0.468-0.3=\begin{array}[t]{ll}&0.468\\-&0.3\mathbf{00}\\ \hline\end{array}[/latex]

Step 3: Subtract the numbers, keeping the decimal point in the answer directly beneath the other decimal points.

[latex]\begin{array}{ll}&0.468\\-&0.300\\ \hline &\phantom{0}\mathbf{.}\end{array}[/latex]

Example A

[latex]2.536-0.59=[/latex]

Step 1: Rewrite the problem, lining up the decimals.

[latex]\begin{array}{ll}&2.536\\- &0.59\\ \hline \end{array}[/latex]

Step 2: Add zeros so that there are the same number of decimal places for each.

[latex]\begin{array}{ll}&2.536\\- &0.59\mathbf{0}\\ \hline \end{array}[/latex]

Step 3: Subtract the numbers. You will need to borrow.

[latex]\begin{array}{rr}&\overset{1}{\cancel{2}}.\overset{14}{\cancel{5}}\overset{13}{\cancel{3}}6\\- &0\,\,.\,5\,\,9\,0 \\ \hline &1\,\,.\,9\,\,4\,6 \end{array}[/latex]

Vocabulary review:

Write the definition.

[latex]8-5 = 3[/latex] ← Difference

Difference:

Exercise 1

Subtract to find the differences.

Examples:

  • [latex]\begin{array}[t]{ll}&2.75\\-&0.68\\ \hline&2.07\end{array}[/latex]
  • [latex]\begin{array}[t]{ll}&9.64\\-&7.15\\ \hline&2.49\end{array}[/latex]

 

  1. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{ll}&3.85\\-&1.75 \\ \hline\\ \end{array}[/latex]
  2. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{ll}&1.17\\-&0.92 \\ \hline\\ \end{array}[/latex]
  3. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{ll}&27.3\\-&18.9 \\ \hline\\ \end{array}[/latex]
  4. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{ll}&0.732\\-&0.651 \\ \hline\\ \end{array}[/latex]
  5. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{ll}&0.362\\-&0.177 \\ \hline\\ \end{array}[/latex]
  6. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{ll}&6.85\\-&1.28 \\ \hline\\ \end{array}[/latex]
  7. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&18.5\\-&7.9 \\ \hline\\ \end{array}[/latex]
  8. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&98.6\\-&45.8 \\ \hline\\ \end{array}[/latex]
  9. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&5.276\\-&3.298 \\ \hline\\ \end{array}[/latex]
  10. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&5.251\\-&2.738 \\ \hline\\ \end{array}[/latex]

Exercise 1 Answers

  1. 2.10
  2. 0.25
  3. 8.4
  4. 0.081
  5. 0.185
  6. 5.57
  7. 10.6
  8. 52.8
  9. 1.978
  10. 2.513

Subtracting a Decimal From a Whole Number

Follow these steps to subtract a decimal from a whole number:

Step 1: Put a decimal point after the whole number.

[latex]16. - 0.4 =[/latex]

Step 2: Rewrite the problem. Write the first number. Put the amount you are subtracting underneath so the decimal points are in a straight column.

[latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&16.\hspace{0.5em}\\-&0.4\\ \hline\end{array}[/latex]

Step 3: Put zeros after the decimal point as needed.

[latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&16.\mathbf{0}\\-&0.4\\ \hline\end{array}[/latex]

Step 4: Do the subtraction as usual. See that you will need to borrow right away.

Example B

[latex]32-0.12 =[/latex]

[latex]\begin{array}{rr}&32.00\\-&0.12\\ \hline\end{array}[/latex]

Step 1: Rename the 2 in the ones place as 1 and 10 tenths.

[latex]\begin{array}{rr}&3\overset{1}{\cancel{2}}.\overset{10}{\cancel{0}}0\\-&0\,.\,1\,2\\ \hline\end{array}[/latex]

Step 2: Now rename the 10 tenths as 9 tenths and 10 hundredths. You are ready to subtract.

[latex]\begin{array}{rr}&3\overset{1}{\cancel{2}}.\overset{\overset{9}{\cancel{10}}}{\cancel{0}}\overset{10}{\cancel{0}}\\-&0\,.\,\,1\,\,2\, \\ \hline &3\,1\,.\,\,8\,\,8\, \end{array}[/latex]

Example C

[latex]\$14 - \$3.49[/latex]

[latex]\begin{array}{rr}&$14.00\\-&$3.49\\ \hline\end{array}[/latex]

[latex]\begin{array}{rr}&$1\overset{4}{\cancel{4}}.\overset{\overset{9}{\cancel{10}}}{\cancel{0}}\overset{10}{\cancel{0}}\\-&$3\,.\,\,4\,\,9\, \\ \hline &$1\,0\,.\,\,5\,\,1\, \end{array}[/latex]

Exercise 2

Rewrite each question in columns and find the difference.

Example:

[latex]6 - 3.42 =[/latex]
[latex]\begin{array}{rr}&\overset{5}{\cancel{6}}.\overset{\overset{9}{\cancel{10}}}{\cancel{0}}\overset{10}{\cancel{0}}\\-&3\,.\,\,4\,\,2\, \\ \hline &2\,.\,\,5\,\,8\, \end{array}[/latex]

 

  1. [latex]14 - 9.23 =[/latex]
    [latex]\begin{array}{rr}&14.00\\-&9.23\\ \hline \\ \end{array}[/latex]
  2. [latex]11 - 3.821 =[/latex]
  3. [latex]2 - 1.98 =[/latex]
  4. [latex]7 − 3.976 =[/latex]

Exercise 2 Answers

  1. 4.77
  2. 7.179
  3. 0.02
  4. 3.024

If you had problems with this, go over your subtraction method with your instructor before you continue.

Exercise 3

Rewrite each question in columns and find the difference.

Example:

[latex]163.682 - 41.5 =[/latex]
[latex]\begin{array}{rr}&163.682\\-&41.500\\ \hline &122.182\end{array}[/latex]

 

  1. [latex]$60 - $44.28 =[/latex]
  2. [latex]$260.06 - $3 =[/latex]
  3. [latex]89.0309 - 6.3 =[/latex]
  4. [latex]$100 - $13.75 =[/latex]

Exercise 3 Answers

  1. $15.72
  2. $257.06
  3. 82.7309
  4. $86.25

Word Problems Using Subtraction of Decimals

Review keywords pointing to subtraction:

  • difference
  • balance
  • minus
  • amount left
  • subtracted from
  • decreased by
  • reduced by
  • taken away
  • less
  • compare

A math question may ask you to compare or find the difference between two amounts. Look for such words as “how much more” (or larger, taller, greater) or “how much less” (or smaller, shorter).

What are the savings? Subtract to find the answer.

Exercise 4

Use your skills in subtracting decimal fractions to do the following word problems. Underline keywords in the problems that will help you to recognize subtraction problems. Remember to draw a picture first!

  1. Brad is 1.8 m tall. He just did the best high jump of his life, clearing 1.89 m. How much less is his own height than the height he jumped? (add the information to the drawing in Figure 4.7.1)
    Figure 4.7.1
    • Estimation:
    • Actual Solution:
  2. Susan’s best track and field event is the long jump. She leapt 6.16 m. Her mom used to long jump in high school and jumped 5.52 m. How much farther did Susan jump than her mom?
    • Estimation (to tenths):
    • Actual Solution:
  3. Joe had a bank balance of $438. He wrote a cheque for $111.59 to pay for a phone bill. What is the balance in his bank account now?
    • Estimation:
    • Actual Solution:
  4. A plumber needs to replace 11.5 m of pipe in a home. She has 6.5 m in her truck. How much more pipe does she need?
    • Estimation:
    • Actual Solution:
  5. Lee is going to install baseboards in the bachelor suite he has built in his basement.  The room is 5.8 metres square.  The baseboard material is expensive, so he will be sure to deduct 1 m for each of the two doorways.  How much baseboard material does he need to buy? (this question involves addition and subtraction)
    • Estimation (to tenths):
    • Actual Solution:

Exercise 4 Answers

  1. Estimation: [latex]1.9 \text{ m }- 1.8 \approx 0.1 \text{ m}[/latex]
    Actual Solution: [latex]1.89 - 1.8 = 0.09 \text{ m}[/latex]
    Answer: Brad‘s height is 0.09 m less than the height he jumped.
  2. Estimation: [latex]6.2 - 5.5 \approx 0.7 \text{ m}[/latex]
    Actual Solution: [latex]6.16 - 5.52 = 0.64 \text{ m}[/latex]
    Answer:   Susan jumped 0.64 m farther than her mom.
  3. Estimation: [latex]$440 - $100 \approx $340[/latex]
    Actual Solution: [latex]$438 - $111.59 = $326.41‬[/latex]
    Answer: Joe‘s bank balance is now $326.41‬.
  4. Estimation: [latex]12 \text{ m } - 7 \text{ m } \approx 5 \text{ m}[/latex]
    Actual Solution: [latex]11.5 \text{ m } - 6.5 \text{ m } = 5 \text{ m}[/latex]
    Answer: The plumber needs 5 m more of pipe.
  5. Estimation: [latex]6 \text{ m } \times 4 = 24 \text{ m, } 24 \text{ m } - 2 \text{ m (doors) } \approx 22 m[/latex]
    Actual Solution: [latex]5.8 \text{ m } \times 4 = 23.2 \text{ m, } 23.2 \text{ m } - 2 \text{ m (doors) } = 21.2 \text{ m}[/latex]
    Answer: Lee will need to buy 21.2 m worth of base board material.

Design Your Own House Part 1: Drawing & Measuring

  1. On a sheet of graph paper, use a ruler to draw a one-story house (bird’s-eye-view). Use the scale of 1 cm2 = 1m2.
  2. You may make your house any shape you choose (square, rectangle, L-shaped, etc.) but one wall must measure 15.5 metres (it will be 15.5 cm on your graph paper).
  3. Clearly label the length of each wall and show your calculations! Be precise and careful with your sketching. Feel free to add colour or get creative.
  4. Be sure to organize and label all your work!
    1. What is the perimeter of the entire house? (perimeter = side + side + side + side)
  5. Give your house two bedrooms. Clearly label the length of each wall.
  6. Include a bathroom, a living room, and a kitchen. Label the length of each wall.
    1. What is the perimeter of each room?
      • Bedroom 1:
      • Bedroom 2:
      • Bathroom:
      • Kitchen:
      • Living room:
  7. On your sketch, give your house two exterior doors and four exterior windows, each 1m wide. Because it is a two-dimensional bird’s eye view, you can’t see the height of your doors and windows, but imagine that each door would be 2.3m tall and each window would be 1.1m tall. Sketch one window and one door here, and label the measurements.
    1. Each window needs external trim and internal trim. How much trim would you need to buy to have enough to go around all of the windows?
    2. Each door would also need external and internal trim. How much trim would you need to go around both doors? Keep in mind that the bottom of the door will not need trim.
When you have finished this project, put your graph paper somewhere safe because you will be using it again at the end of 4.10: Multiplying Decimals.

Marking Checklist of House Project Part 1

[May 9 – Do you want to keep this section and the one in 4.10? The unit pricing chapter, which has part 3, is not one of the chapters you wanted to include – K]

/50 marks

  • Sketch:     /14
    • A ruler was used for drawing lines.     /2
    • The house has five rooms.     /2
    • All wall lengths (internal and external) are marked clearly on the sketch.     /5
    • Locations for doors and windows have been marked on the sketch.     /2
    • One door and one window have been drawn with measurements marked.     /2
    • The house has a yard and measurements have been clearly marked on the sketch.     /2
  • Calculations     /36
    • The perimeter of the house has been calculated correctly.     /2
    • The perimeter of each room has been calculated correctly.     /10
    • Bedroom 1     /2
    • Bedroom 2     /2
    • Bathroom     /2
    • Kitchen     /2
    • Living room     /2
    • Window and door locations have been marked on the graph paper sketch.     /2
    • One window and one door has been sketched and measurements labelled.     /2
    • The amount of trim for the windows has been calculated correctly.     /5
    • The amount of trim for the doors has been calculated correctly.     /5

4.7: Practice Questions

  1. Subtract.
    1. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&72.04\\-&13.98\\ \hline\\ \end{array}[/latex]
    2. [latex]19.6-6.254 =[/latex]
    3. [latex]\begin{array}[t]{rr}&11.21\\-&3.875\\ \hline\\ \end{array}[/latex]
    4. [latex]\$140-\$102.73 =[/latex]

     

  2. Solve the following word problem.
    • Gail spent $273.24 on her groceries. She had $300 with her. How much of her money is left?
      1. Estimation:
      2. Actual Solution:

4.7: Practice Answers

  1. Subtract.
    1. 58.06
    2. 13.346
    3. 7.335
    4. $37.27

     

  2. Solve the following word problem.
    1. Estimation: [latex]$300 - $275 \approx $25[/latex]
    2. Actual Solution: [latex]$300 - $273.24 = $26.76[/latex]
      Gail had $26.76 left after buying groceries.

Attribution

All figures in this chapter are from Topic B: Subtracting Decimals in Adult Literacy Fundamental Mathematics: Book 4 – 2nd Edition by Katherine Arendt, Mercedes de la Nuez, and Lix Girard, via BCcampus.

This chapter has been adapted from Topic B: Subtracting Decimals in Adult Literacy Fundamental Mathematics: Book 4 – 2nd Edition (BCcampus) by Katherine Arendt, Mercedes de la Nuez, and Lix Girard (2023), which is under a CC BY 4.0 license.

License

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Intermediate PreAlgebra: Building Success Copyright © 2024 by Kim Tamblyn, TRU Open Press is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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