Subtract more than 4-digit numbers

Watch: Using the column method to subtract

Numbers can be subtracted using the column method.

Watch this video to learn about subtracting 4-digit numbers using the column method.

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Let’s take a look at some examples of how to subtract numbers that are larger than 4 digits using this method.

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Start from the ones column: 8 - 7 = 1
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In the tens column you can’t take 60 away from 20 so you have to exchange a hundred from three hundred. 120 – 60 = 60
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In the hundreds column: 200 - 100 = 100
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In the thousands column you need to exchange from the ten thousands. 12,000 - 3,000 = 9,000
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The finished sum is 12,328 - 3,167 = 9,161

Harry has worked out the following subtraction: 34,256 - 12,382 = 22,974. Is he correct?

The best thing to do is work out the answer for ourselves since Harry hasn’t shown whether he has exchanged any numbers.

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Start with the ones column: 6 - 2 = 4
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In the tens column you can’t subtract 80 from 50 so you need to exchange a hundred. This makes 150 - 80= 70. Remember to reduce the number of hundreds there are after you have exchanged!
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In the hundreds column you can't subtract 300 from 100 so you exchange a thousand to make 11 hundreds. 1,100 - 300 = 800
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In the thousands column: 3,000 - 2,000 = 1,000
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In the ten thousands column: 30,000 - 10,000 = 20,000
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The final sum shows that 34,256 - 12,382 = 21,874

Harry answered 22,974 but it worked it out as 21,874. Harry is wrong because he forgot to reduce the number of hundreds after he had exchanged a ten.

Always take your time when you are working out column subtraction. Make sure you have remembered all the steps.

Use the column method to help subtract large numbers.
Separate the numbers into their place value of ones, tens, hundreds and thousands.
Start your subtraction on the right with the ones column first.
Estimate your answer before you start.
Subtraction is the opposite to addition, so it can be checked by adding. For example, check that 11,282 - 4,237 = 7,045 by doing the sum 7,045 + 4,237 = 11,282
Look out for these words in problems: take away, difference, less than, minus, decrease, fewer than, reduce. They all indicate subtraction.