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.  
 

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.
 

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. 
 

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. 
 

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.