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Last updated on July 4th, 2025

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Subtracting Decimals

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Subtracting decimals is the process of finding the difference between numbers with decimal places. Imagine you go to a shop and buy a packet of chips that costs $1.50. You give the shopkeeper $10. How much change should you get back? This allows you to calculate the change yourself without relying on a calculator. For example, subtract $1.50 from $10.00 to get $8.50.

Subtracting Decimals for UK Students
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What is Subtracting Decimals?

Subtracting decimals is similar to regular subtraction, but the key difference is that you need to carefully handle the decimal digits. Subtracting decimals means finding the difference between two decimal numbers or decimal number and a whole number. 

 

There are two types of decimal numbers, like decimals and unlike decimals. Like decimals have the same number of decimal places, while unlike decimals have different numbers of decimal places. 

 

For example, 2.24 and 3.75 both have two decimal places (0.24 and 0.75). Another example, 5.676 has three decimal places, while 1.90 has two, making them unlike decimals.
 

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How to Subtract Decimals?

In order to subtract decimals, you need to follow the correct order of place values of the numbers along with their decimals. That is, 

 

 

Step 1: Identify the whole number and decimal parts of each number. For example, in 22.04 and 33.567, the whole numbers are 22 and 33, and the decimal parts are 0.04 and 0.567.

 

              

Step 2: Now, consider the decimal part, where the number 22.04 has two decimal places and number 33.567 has three decimal places. Align decimal points vertically to match corresponding place values (tenths, hundredths, etc.).
            
                     
Step 3: Subtract the two decimal numbers. 

    Start from the rightmost digit (thousandths place): 7 – 0 = 7

    

    Move to the next place (hundredths place): 6 – 4 = 2, subtract 4 from 6.

    

    Move to the tenths place: 5 – 0 = 5

    

Now, subtract the whole numbers:

 3 – 2 = 1


 3 – 2 = 1

 


Step 4: So, the answer you get is 11.527.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

What are the Rules for Subtracting Decimals?

Once you understand the process, follow these rules to subtract decimal numbers: First, align the numbers vertically by their decimal points, ensuring that whole number digits (ones, tens) and decimal digits (tenths, hundredths) correspond.
Let’s quickly take a look at the rules that we must follow.

 

  • When two numbers are given, check the numbers first. If it’s a fraction, convert the fraction into decimals.

 

  • Then place the numbers in such a way that the whole number digits should be placed corresponding to their place values (ones to tens), and the decimals should be placed in a vertical line, from the left to right should be tenths, hundredths, thousandths …

 

  • Subtract the subtrahend (second number) from the minuend (first number). If the result is negative, include the negative sign.

 

  • Then, subtract both the whole number and the decimal digits, starting from the right side.
     
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How to Subtract Decimals With Regrouping?

Subtracting decimals with regrouping means subtracting the two numbers just like how you subtract between whole numbers. Let’s look at them step-by-step.

 

 

Step 1: Let’s take an example of 7.3 and 2.45. First, we have to convert the numbers into decimals. 

Convert 7.3 into two decimal places  7.30. 

 

 

Step 2: Next, regroup the numbers, that is, subtracting the smaller number from the larger number (if not specified).

 

 

Step 3: Subtract the hundredths place of the decimal first. 

    

Since 0 is smaller than 5, we will borrow 1 from the tenths place (3 of the top number).


    The 3 becomes 2, and we add 10 to the hundredths place. 

    So, 10 – 5 = 5. 

    Hundredths place in the answer: 5

 


Step 4: Next subtract the tenths place.

After borrowing, the digit in the tenth place is 2 (top) and 4 (bottom).

Since 2 is smaller than 4, we borrow 1 from the one's place (7) of the whole number part.

The 7 becomes 6, and we add 10 to the tenths place.

10 + 2 = 12

Now subtract 12 – 4 = 8

Tenths place in the answer: 8

 

 

Step 5: Subtract the ones place of the whole number.

6 – 2 = 4

    Ones place in the answer: 4

 

 

Step 6: So the answer you get is 4.85.
 

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How to Subtract Decimals From Whole Numbers?

Subtracting decimals from whole numbers means that you have to subtract one decimal number from another number (which is a whole number). For this, you have to first make the whole number as like decimals by adding zeros after the decimal point. For example, 

 

 

Question: Subtract 3.33 from 10.

 

Solution: First, add two zeros to the number 10. 

Then, start the subtraction process.  

Here, in the hundredths place, the top number is 0 (zero). So we have to borrow from the tenths place. 

But the tenths place is also a zero, so we borrow from the next decimal place, which is ones of the whole number parts. 

In the ones place of the whole number part, it is again a zero (0). So we move to the next place value, which is tenths. From one (1) we borrow. 

After borrowing from one place, the tenths place becomes 10, and after borrowing from the tenths place, the hundredth place becomes 10.


Now, subtract accordingly 

    
Answer: So the answer is 6.67.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

How to Subtract Decimals Within 1?

This refers to subtracting two decimals numbers, both less than 1. For example, 

 

Question: Subtract 0.03 from 0.85.

 

Solution: First, analyze which decimal value is greater. Then subtract the smaller one from that. 

    
 
Then subtract it, following the same steps we did in the previous sections. 

 

Answer: The answer you get is 0.82.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

How to Subtract Decimals With the Same Number of Decimal Places?

Subtracting decimals with the same number of decimal places is like basic subtraction. In the subtraction, it is advisable to ignore the decimal point. For example, 

Subtract 6.88 from 8.12.

 

Solution: You can directly start subtracting, since there are an equal number of decimal places. 

    


Answer: The answer you get is 1.24.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

How to Subtract Decimals With Different Decimal Places?

While subtracting numbers with different decimal places, it is always mandatory to align the numbers by adding zeros. For example, 

Subtract 2.51 from 45.678.

 

Solution: Add zeros to the number with fewer decimal places to match the other.


    

Then subtract the values following the steps we did in the previous sections.

    

Answer: The answer you get is 43.168.
 

Professor Greenline from BrightChamps

Real-life Applications of Subtracting Decimals

Subtracting decimals is a useful skill in everyday life, from handling money to weight differences. Here are some real-life examples where subtracting decimals helps solve common problems. 

 

 

  • Money Transactions: Subtracting decimals is essential for money transactions, such as calculating change or comparing prices.

 

  • Measuring Ingredients While Cooking: Recipes often require precise measurements, and subtracting decimals helps you determine the remaining amount of an ingredient. For example, if you have 2.5 cups of flour and need 1.75 cups, subtracting decimals (2.5 – 1.75 = 0.75) tells you how much flour remains.

 

  • Height Differences: Subtracting decimals helps determine height differences between people, buildings, or plants. 

 

  • Weight Difference: Subtracting decimals is useful when comparing the weights of objects, such as fruits, packages, or even people. 
     
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Common Mistakes of Subtracting Decimals and How to Avoid Them

Subtracting decimals may look simple, as they seem similar to subtracting whole numbers. But small mistakes while subtracting decimals can lead to incorrect answers. Here are five common mistakes that you might make while subtracting decimals and how to avoid them.
 

Mistake 1

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 Not aligning the decimal points correctly while calculating
 

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Always line up the decimal points in vertical order before subtracting. 

Mistake 2

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Forgetting to borrow when needed
 

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 If a digit in the top number is smaller than the one below it, remember to borrow from the next place value to the left.
 

Mistake 3

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Ignoring placeholder zeros
 

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Write extra zeros in empty places, so each number has the same number of decimal places before subtracting. You must always add extra zeros to make the numbers easier to work with. Then add zeros to the number with fewer decimal places to align them properly.
 

Mistake 4

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Making simple subtraction error

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Double-check each subtraction step to avoid basic arithmetic errors.
 

Mistake 5

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Not checking the final answer
 

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While calculating the subtraction, sometimes students make mistakes in calculating differences of smaller numbers. So it is advisable to calculate these decimal numbers with their nearest integers.
 

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Solved Examples for Subtracting Decimals

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Problem 1

A runner completed a 5.7 km race but stopped after 3.85 km. How much distance was left?

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1.85 km 
 

Explanation

Align the decimals and subtract 5.70 – 3.85. Borrow from the one's place to subtract correctly and get 1.85 km. 
 

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Problem 2

A watermelon weighs 5.25 kg, and a melon weighs 3.7 kg. How much heavier is the watermelon?

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1.55 kg
 

Explanation

Rewrite 3.7 as 3.70 to match the decimal places. Subtract 5.25 – 3.70 to get 1.55 kg.
 

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Problem 3

A factory produced 128.95 kg of chocolate one day and 119.6 kg the next day. How much more was produced on the first day?

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9.35 kg
 

Explanation

Subtract 128.95 – 119.60 = (128 – 119) + (0.95 – 0.60) = 9 + 0.35 = 9.35 kg.

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Problem 4

A shopper buys a shirt for $24.95 and pays with a $30 bill. How much change will they receive?

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 $5.05
 

Explanation

To find the change, subtract the cost of the shirt from the amount paid: 30.00 – 24.95. Align the decimals by writing 30 as 30.00.
Align digits for subtraction: Ones (30 vs. 24), tenths (0 vs. 9), hundredths (0 vs. 5).
Subtract:
Thousandths: 0 – 5 requires borrowing. Borrow 1 from the hundredths place (0 becomes 10 thousandths, hundredths become –1). Hundredths: –1 – 9 requires borrowing from the tenths place (0 becomes 10 hundredths – 1 = 9, tenths become –1). Tenths: –1 – 9 requires borrowing from the one's place (30 becomes 29, tenths become 10 – 1 = 9).
Ones: 29 – 24 = 5.
 

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Problem 5

A bottle contains 9.5 liters of juice, and you pour out 3.75 liters. How much juice is left?

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5.75 liters
 

Explanation

 To find the juice left, subtract the amount poured out from the total: 9.5 – 3.75. Write 9.5 as 9.50 to have the same number of decimal places as 3.75. In the hundredths place, 0 minus 5 doesn’t work, so borrow 1 from the tenths place, making 10 hundredths and changing tenths from 5 to 4; then 10 minus 5 is 5 hundredths. In the tenths place, 4 minus 7 doesn’t work, so borrow 1 from the ones place, making 14 tenths and changing ones from 9 to 8; then 14 minus 7 is 7 tenths. In one place, 8 minus 3 is 5. So, 5.75 liters of juice are left.
 

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FAQs on Subtracting Decimals

1.How do I align numbers when subtracting decimals?

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2.Where should the decimal point go in the answer?

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3.How should I check if my subtraction is correct?

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4.What should I do if one number has fewer decimal places than the other?

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5.What if the result is negative?

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6.How can children in United Kingdom use numbers in everyday life to understand Subtracting Decimals?

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7.What are some fun ways kids in United Kingdom can practice Subtracting Decimals with numbers?

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8.What role do numbers and Subtracting Decimals play in helping children in United Kingdom develop problem-solving skills?

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9.How can families in United Kingdom create number-rich environments to improve Subtracting Decimals skills?

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Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana

About the Author

Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.

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Fun Fact

: She loves to read number jokes and games.

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