Page 34 - ICSE Math 5

Subtraction

We know that subtraction means taking away the subtrahend from the minuend to get the
difference. It is the opposite of addition.

The numbers to be subtracted are first arranged in columns and then subtracted starting from
the extreme right, i.e., from the ones place and proceeding towards the larger places on the
left.

Subtraction of Large Numbers (without borrowing)

We follow the same steps to subtract large numbers as we do for smaller numbers.

Example 8: Find the difference between 87,632 and 42,102.
Write the difference obtained in words. TTh Th H T O

Solution: Subtract the ones, tens, hundreds places and 8 7 6 3 2
so on, and write the difference in respective
columns as shown. – 4 2 1 0 2

So, 87,632 – 42,102 = 45,530 and it is written as 4 5 5 3 0
forty-five thousand five hundred thirty.

Subtraction of Large Numbers (with borrowing)

Look at the given examples to see how to subtract large numbers with borrowing.

Example 9: Subtract 32,179 from 61,452. TTh Th H T O
14
Solution: Subtract column wise and remember to make 5 11 3 4 12
changes after borrowing from a column. 6 1 4 5 2

So, 61,452 – 32,179 = 29,273. It is written as – 3 2 1 7 9
twenty-nine thousand two hundred seventy- 2 9 2 7 3
three.

Subtraction with Zeros

Example 10: Subtract 48,256 from 87,002.

Solution: Step 1: Subtract the ones. As 6 is greater than 2, it cannot be subtracted.

As we cannot borrow from the tens and
hundreds places, borrow 1 thousand TTh Th H T O
9 9
from the thousands place and shift it 6 10 10 12
to the hundreds, tens and finally to the 8 7 0 0 2
ones place. – 4 8 2 5 6

Now we have 12 at the ones place 6
which is bigger than 6. Thus, subtract 6
from 12.
12 – 6 = 6

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