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MULTI-DIGIT SUBTRACTION

Subtract large numbers column by column, borrowing across multiple places.

L4L5L6

CS.N.4.2·Performing calculations with large natural numbers(IV)

Section 1 / 3

REGROUPING (BORROWING)

Write the numbers in columns: units, tens, hundreds. Subtract from right to left. When the top digit is smaller than the bottom, borrow 1 from the column to the left - this is called regrouping. The left column goes down by 1, and your digit gets 10 more. Follow each step carefully!

534 − 268

1 5 3 4

2− 2 6 8

3------

4Start from the right:

5Units: 4 < 8 > can't subtract, so borrow 1 from tens.

6 The 3 tens become 2, and 4 units become 14.

7 14 − 8 = 6 ✓

8Tens: 2 < 6 > borrow 1 from hundreds.

9 The 5 hundreds become 4, and 2 tens become 12.

10 12 − 6 = 6 ✓

11Hundreds: 4 − 2 = 2 ✓

12------

13 2 6 6 Answer: 266

= 266

752 − 386

1 7 5 2

2− 3 8 6

3------

4Units: 2 < 6 > borrow 1 from tens.

5 5 tens > 4, units: 12 − 6 = 6 ✓

6Tens: 4 < 8 > borrow 1 from hundreds.

7 7 hundreds > 6, tens: 14 − 8 = 6 ✓

8Hundreds: 6 − 3 = 3 ✓

9------

10 3 6 6 Answer: 366

= 366

LEADER TIP

Graph paper helps keep columns aligned. For numbers with zeros, practice the 'borrowing across zeros' pattern explicitly.

BEFORE THIS LESSON, TRY

Regrouping (Borrowing)

PRACTICE WITH THESE GAMES

Subtraction Quiz

Fast Subtraction

Want more practice? Generate printable worksheets with similar problems.

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