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# Decimal Subtraction

## Subtract decimals by lining up the decimal points.

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Practice Decimal Subtraction
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Subtraction of Decimals

Jeremy and his family are driving to visit his grandparents. On the first day they drove 234.8 miles and on the second day they drove 251.6 miles. How many more miles did they drive on the second day?

### Guidance

To subtract decimals, first write the decimals using the vertical alignment method. The decimal points must be kept directly under each other and the digits in the same place value must be kept in line with each other. If the decimal numbers are signed numbers, the rules for adding integers are applied to the problem. The number of greater magnitude should be placed above the number of smaller magnitude. Magnitude is simply the size of the number without respect to its sign. The number -42.8 has a magnitude of 42.8.

#### Example A

Subtract: 57.626.18\begin{align*}57.62 - 6.18\end{align*}

Solution: Subtracting decimals is similar to subtracting whole numbers. Line up the decimal points so that you can subtract corresponding place value digits (e.g. tenths from tenths, hundredths from hundredths, and so on). As with whole numbers, start from the right and work toward the left remembering to borrow when it is necessary.

#### Example B

\begin{align*}(98.04)-(32.801)\end{align*}

Solution: Begin by writing the question using the vertical alignment method. To ensure that the digits are aligned correctly, add zero to 98.04.

Subtract the numbers.

#### Example C

\begin{align*}(67.65)-(-25.43)\end{align*}

Solution: The first step is to write the problem as an addition problem and to change the sign of the original number being subtracted. In other words, add the opposite.

\begin{align*}(67.65)+(+25.43)\end{align*}

Now, write and solve the problem using the vertical alignment method.

#### Example D

\begin{align*}(137.4)-(+259.687)\end{align*}

Solution: The first step is to write the problem as an addition problem and to change the sign of the original number being subtracted. In other words, add the opposite.

\begin{align*}(137.4)+(-259.687)\end{align*}

Now write the problem using the vertical alignment method. Remember to put 259.687 above 137.4 because 259.687 is the number of greater magnitude. The two numbers that are being added have opposite signs. Apply the same rule that you used when adding integers that had opposite signs – subtract the numbers and use the sign of the larger number in the answer.

To ensure that the digits are aligned correctly, add zeros to 137.4.

Subtract the numbers.

The numbers being added have opposite signs. This means that the sign of the answer will be the same sign as that of the number of greater magnitude. In this problem the answer has a negative sign.

#### Concept Problem Revisited

Jeremy and his family are driving to visit his grandparents. On the first day they drove 234.8 miles and on the second day they drove 251.6 miles.

The decimal number 251.6 is of greater magnitude than 234.8. The numbers must be vertically aligned with the larger one above the smaller one. Now the numbers can be subtracted.

They drove 16.8 miles more on the second day.

### Vocabulary

Decimal Point
A decimal point is the place marker in a number that separates the whole number and the fraction part. The number 326.45 has the decimal point between the six and the four.
Magnitude
A magnitude is the size of a number without respect to its sign. The number -35.6 has a magnitude of 35.6.

### Guided Practice

1. Subtract these decimal numbers: \begin{align*}(243.67)-(196.3579)\end{align*}

2. \begin{align*}(32.47)-(-28.8)-(19.645)\end{align*}

3. Josie has $59.27 in her bank account. She went to the grocery store and wrote a check for$62.18 to pay for the groceries. Describe Josie’s balance in her bank account now.

1. \begin{align*}(243.67)-(196.3579)=47.3121\end{align*}

2. \begin{align*}(32.47)-(-28.8)-(19.645)=41.625\end{align*}

Write the question as an addition problem and change the sign of the original number being subtracted.

\begin{align*}(32.47)+(+28.8)+(-19.645)\end{align*}

### Answers for Explore More Problems

To view the Explore More answers, open this PDF file and look for section 1.6.

### Vocabulary Language: English

Decimal point

Decimal point

A decimal point is a period that separates the complete units from the fractional parts in a decimal number.
Magnitude

Magnitude

The magnitude of a number is the size of a number without respect to its sign. The number -35.6 has a magnitude of 35.6.
Place Value

Place Value

The value of given a digit in a multi-digit number that is indicated by the place or position of the digit.