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### Unit 3: Lesson 1

Subtracting decimals intro

# Subtracting decimals

We'll start with simple problems like 0.9 - 0.8 and build to more complex problems like 12.6 - 8.89.
The problems go from easy to more difficult, and along the way there are examples and explanations in case you get stuck. If you get confused, just think of it as a chance to learn!
Let's start by subtracting tenths.

## Problem set 1:

Problem 1a
0, point, 8, minus, 0, point, 6, equals

Beautiful! Let's move on to problems with whole numbers and tenths.

## Problem set 2:

Problem 2a
1, point, 5, minus, 1, point, 2, equals

Excellent! Let's move on to work with some larger numbers.

## Problem set 3:

Problem 3a
12, point, 3, minus, 2, equals

Rockin'! Let's move on to some more difficult problems with whole numbers and tenths.

## Problem set 4:

Problem 4a
9, minus, 4, point, 9, equals

Cool! Now let's subtract hundredths.

## Problem set 5:

Problem 5a
0, point, 64, minus, 0, point, 41, equals

Great! Let's move on to problems with whole numbers, tenths, and hundredths.

## Problem set 6:

Problem 6a
0, point, 53, minus, 0, point, 4, equals

Rockin'! Now we're ready to use bigger numbers.

## Problem set 7:

Problem 7a
44, point, 83, minus, 32, equals

Sweet! Let's finish with some more challenging problems.

## Problem set 8:

Problem 8a
9, minus, 6, point, 35, equals

## Want to join the conversation?

• this is confuseing
• What part is confusing?
• do we use math every day?😐
• yes, example: if you need 5 apples for a pie but you want to double the amount to make two pies... how many do you have to get? (that was just an easy example)
• This is kinda easy for me but for some people it could be confusing and hard.
• I’m glad this is easy for you.

The likely cause of confusion for some people, when subtracting decimals, is failing to line up decimal points first and/or failing to put in zeros for missing digits.
(1 vote)
• why are there a lot of questions
• because they wont to see if you are good.
• what would happen if math wouldn't be in are life
• alot would happen.
• Why is this so confusing
• we aleady did this what do you mean it's confusing.
• I don't get how THEY subtract whole numbers and decimals
• I don't get that 1.0 - 0.59 is 0.41. How is it o.41?
• Because the 1.0 can also be expressed as 1.00
If you view it that way, as
1.00
-0.59
It will equal 0.41
The steps are,
First you subtract the 0 in the hundredth's place by the 9 in the other's hundredth's place. But 0 is less than 9, so you need to borrow from the tenth's place.
Unfortunately, how do you borrow? The value there is 0 as well, and there isn't really anything for you to borrow.
Fortunately, the one's place has a 1. This means the tenths place can borrow from that for a "10", and afterward the hundredth's place can borrow from the 10 in the tenth's place.
10 - 9 =1
9 - 5= 4
0 - 0 = 0
So you end up with 0.41