102 LearnersLast updated on July 11th, 2025
4- Digit Subtraction
4-digit subtraction is one of the fundamental arithmetic operations in mathematics. Subtraction is the process of subtracting the smaller number (subtrahend) from the larger number (minuend). Here we perform subtraction based on the place values. In this article, we will explore how to perform 4-digit subtraction step by step.
What is 4-Digit Subtraction?
The process of 4-digit subtraction involves finding the difference between a 4-digit number and another number with up to four digits. When we subtract 4-digit numbers, the minuend is written on the top, while the subtrahend is written below the minuend. The minuend and subtrahend don’t need to be larger and smaller. These terms simply refer to their position in the subtraction process. Before performing subtraction, the 4-digit number should be arranged according to its place value and subtracted digit by digit.
What are the Steps for 4-Digit Subtraction?
While subtracting a 4-digit number from another 4-digit, we have to follow several steps:
Step 1: Place the numbers one below the other. Place the minuend on the top and right below it place the subtrahend.
Step 2: Check that the numbers are written according to their place values: ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands.
Step 3: Start subtracting the numbers on the right side, from the ones column, tens column, then hundreds, and thousands.
Step 4: Write the difference below the line. It is the difference between the two 4-digit numbers.
Now, let us learn how to perform subtraction of 4-digit numbers with and without regrouping.
4-Digit Subtraction Without Regrouping
If the digits in the minuend are greater than or equal to the numbers in the subtrahend, we can perform the subtraction without regrouping or borrowing. Consider this example: Subtract 1725 from 2947.
Here, 2947 is the minuend and 1725 is the subtrahend. Since the given minuend is larger than the given subtrahend, we can subtract 1725 from 2947 without borrowing.
Subtracting 1725 from 2947:
2947 - 1725 = 1222
Therefore, the difference between 2947 and 1725 is 1222.
4-Digit Subtraction With Regrouping
Regrouping is needed only if any of the digits in the given minuend is smaller than the subtrahend. When any number in the minuend is smaller than the digit exactly below it in the subtrahend, we borrow 1 from the next higher number in the minuend. Then the smaller number will be greater than the corresponding number in the same place column of the subtrahend. 4-digit subtraction with regrouping provides us with accurate results
For example, subtract 1456 from 2321.
Step 1: Write the numbers based on their place value. Here, 1 is less than 6, so we borrow 1 from the next number in the tens column. Hence, 1 turns into 11. Now, we can subtract 11 - 6 = 5.
Step 2: We already borrowed 1 from the 2 (tens place), so it becomes 1. Since 1 is smaller than 5, we have to borrow 1 from hundreds of places. Therefore, we borrow 1 from the 3, and 1 (tens place) becomes 11.
Thus, subtract 11 - 5 = 6.
Step 3: We borrowed 1 from the hundreds place, 2 will be the new digit in the hundreds place. Since 2 is smaller than 4, we borrow 1 from the number in the thousands place of the minuend. Therefore, 2 becomes 12.
Therefore, 12 - 4 = 8.
Step 4: Last, subtract the numbers in the thousands place. We already borrowed 1 from 2 (minuend) and it becomes 1. So, subtract 1 - 1 = 0.
Step 5: Write the results below the line, as the difference between 1456 and 2321.
Thus, 2321 - 1456 = 865.
Therefore, the difference between 1456 and 2321 is 865.
Real-life Applications of 4 Digit Subtraction
In our daily life, we use 4-digit subtraction to deal with large numbers and to find their difference while calculating the prices, quantities left, and so on. The real-life applications of 4-digit subtraction are listed below:
- When we go shopping, we can use 4-digit subtraction to calculate the price we spend and the remaining money. For example, if we have a savings of $2000, and we spend $1000, then we can find out how much money is left by subtracting the numbers:
2000 - 1000 = 1000.
Therefore, we have $1000 remaining.
- While we travel, we can compute the distance we have left to cover by using the 4-digit subtraction method. If we covered 1589 kilometers and the total distance is 3956 kilometers, then the remaining distance is:
3956 - 1589 = 2367
2367 kilometers left to cover.
- In population statistics, we use 4-digit subtraction to find out the total difference of population. For instance, in a city, the population in 2024 was 2796, and in 2025, the population is 2034. To find out how many people moved away from the city:
2796 - 2034 = 762
Hence, 762 people moved from the city to another.
- Students can use the method to calculate and schedule their time accordingly. For example, if a student joins an online coaching which has a total of 5327 minutes and he attended 379 minutes, to know how much time is left:
5327 - 379 = 4948 minutes.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them on 4-Digit Subtraction
Sometimes, 4-digit subtraction seems tricky when working with the regrouping of numbers. Students often make mistakes while performing four-digit subtraction that can result in incorrect answers. Here are some common mistakes and helpful solutions to avoid these errors.
Mistake 1
Misaligning Place Values
Always remember to write the 4-digit numbers according to their place values when subtracting them. Students should place the numbers based on their place values: ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands. If students incorrectly place the numbers, they will get incorrect differences. For example, subtract 1672 from 2451.
The correct arrangement of numbers is:
Mistake 2
Forgetting to Borrow 1 from the Next Highest Number
tudents should keep in mind that if the top number is smaller than the bottom number, borrow 1 from the next number. Sometimes, the number on the minuend is smaller than the number on the subtrahend, then borrow 1 from the next left highest number. For example,
Here, 7 in the ones place of the minuend is smaller than 8, so borrow 1 from the next left number 6. Then 7 becomes 17, and subtract the numbers.
Mistake 3
Ignoring to Adjust the Value After Borrowing
Remember that if students borrow 1 from the next number, the value of the number will be changed. For example, if you borrow 1 from 5, then the number 5 turns into 4. If students fail to reduce the value, then the result will be incorrect.
Mistake 4
Neglecting the Borrowing Process
Sometimes, students ignore the borrowing process and come up with a negative or incorrect difference as the result. If there is a chance to borrow 1 from the next highest numbers, students must borrow the value.
For example, subtract 1400 from 3000. If they try to do the subtraction without borrowing, the difference will be wrong.
The correct answer is
Here, direct subtraction 0-4 is not possible. We need to borrow ‘1’ from thousands of places.
Mistake 5
Incorrectly Writing the Numbers
Always double-check that the numbers are written correctly and the place values are aligned properly. If students incorrectly arrange the numbers or write the number the final result will be incorrect. For example, sometimes students write 1199 as 1919 or 3103 as 3013.
Solved Examples of 4 Digit Subtraction
Problem 1
Calculate the difference between the 4-digit numbers 5631 and 3287.
2344
Explanation
We are subtracting:
5631 - 3287
First, subtract the numbers in the ones place:
1 - 7
Since 1 is smaller than 7. So, borrow 1 from the tens place.
Hence, 1 becomes 11, and the tens digit (3) becomes 2.
11 -7 = 4
Subtract tens place:
2 - 8
Since 2 is smaller than 8, borrow 1 from hundreds of places.
Now, the hundreds digit (6) becomes 5, and the tens digit becomes 12.
12 - 8 = 4
Subtract the hundreds place:
5 - 2 = 3
Subtract the thousands place:
5 - 3 = 2
Now, write the answers from the ones to the thousands place.
5631 - 3287 = 2344
2344 is the difference between 5631 and 3287.
Problem 2
Subtract the 4-digit numbers: 8250 - 1982.
6268 is the difference between 8250 and 1982.
Explanation
We are subtracting:
8250 - 1982
First, subtract the numbers in the ones place:
0 - 2
Since 0 is smaller than 2, we borrow 1 from the tens place.
Hence, 0 becomes 10, and the tens digit (5) becomes 4.
10 - 2 = 8
Subtract the tens place:
4 - 8
Since 4 is smaller than 8, we borrow 1 from hundreds of places.
Now, the hundreds digit (2) becomes 1, and the tens digit becomes 14.
14 - 8 = 6
Subtract the hundreds place:
1 - 9
Since 1 is smaller than 9, we borrow 1 from thousands of places.
Now, the thousands digit (8) becomes 7, and the hundreds digit becomes 11.
11 - 9 = 2
Subtract the thousands place:
7 - 1 = 6
Now, write the answers from the ones to the thousands place:
8250 - 1982 = 6268
6268 is the difference between 8250 and 1982.
Problem 3
Find the difference between the 4-digit numbers 4284 and 3879.
405 is the difference between 4284 and 3879.
Explanation
We are subtracting:
4284 - 3879
First, subtract the numbers in the ones place:
4 - 9
Since 4 is smaller than 9, we borrow 1 from the tens place.
Hence, 4 becomes 14, and the tens digit (8) becomes 7.
14 - 9 = 5
Subtract the tens place:
7 - 7 = 0
(No need to borrow here.)
Subtract the hundreds place:
2 - 8
Since 2 is smaller than 8, we borrow 1 from thousands of places.
Now, the thousands digit (4) becomes 3, and the hundreds digit becomes 12.
12 - 8 = 4
Subtract the thousands place:
3 - 3 = 0
Now, write the answers from the ones to the thousands place:
4284 - 3879 = 0405
We write it as 405
405 is the difference between 4284 and 3879.
Problem 4
Subtract the 4-digit number: 7894 - 5361.
2533 is the difference between 7894 and 5361.
Explanation
We are subtracting:
7894 - 5361
First, subtract the numbers in the ones place:
4 - 1 = 3
No need to borrow here since 4 is bigger than 1.
Subtract the tens place:
9 - 6 = 3
Again, no borrowing is needed.
Subtract the hundreds place:
8 - 3 = 5
Subtract the thousands place:
7 - 5 = 2
Now, write the answers from the ones to the thousands place:
7894 - 5361 = 2533
2533 is the difference between 7894 and 5361.
Problem 5
Calculate the difference between the 4-digit numbers 9396 - 2153.
7243 is the difference between 9396 and 2153.
Explanation
We are subtracting:
9396 - 2153
First, subtract the numbers in the ones place:
6 - 3
No need to borrow because 6 is bigger than 3.
6 - 3 = 3
Subtract the tens place:
9 - 5
Again, no need to borrow.
9 - 5 = 4
Subtract the hundreds place:
3 - 1
No borrowing is needed here, either.
3 - 1 = 2
Subtract the thousands place:
9 - 2 = 7
Now, write the answers from the ones to the thousands place:
9396 - 2153 = 7243
7243 is the difference between 9396 and 2153.
FAQs on 4 Digit Subtraction
1.What do you mean by 4-digit subtraction?
2.What is 4-digit subtracting with regrouping?
3.How do you do 4-digit subtraction without regrouping?
4.How can I check if my answer is right?
5.Why are place values important in subtraction?
6.How can children in Indonesia use numbers in everyday life to understand 4- Digit Subtraction?
7.What are some fun ways kids in Indonesia can practice 4- Digit Subtraction with numbers?
8.What role do numbers and 4- Digit Subtraction play in helping children in Indonesia develop problem-solving skills?
9.How can families in Indonesia create number-rich environments to improve 4- Digit Subtraction skills?
Explore More numbers
![Important Math Links Icon]()
Previous to 4- Digit Subtraction
![Important Math Links Icon]()
Next to 4- Digit Subtraction
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.
Fun Fact
: She loves to read number jokes and games.
