Subtraction of four-digit numbers (without borrowing)
Example. Subtract 5324 from 9547
Solution. How to do
Th H T O Subtract the ones 7 – 4 = 3
9 5 4 7 Subtract the tens 4 – 2 = 2
- 5 3 2 4 Subtract the hundreds 5 – 3 = 2
4 2 2 3 Subtract the thousands 9 – 5 = 4
Thus, 9547 – 5324 = 4223
Verifying the answer
We ca verify our answer easily. Observe the following example
Subtract Verification
Th H T O Th H T O
8 7 5 9 ? First number 3 4 3 5 ? Second number
- 3 4 3 5 ? Second number - 5 3 2 4 ? Difference
5 3 2 4 ? Difference 8 7 5 9 ? First number
We see that Second Number + Difference = First number
So, if the sum of second number and difference is same as the first number, our answer is correct
Subtraction of Four-digit Number (with Borrowing)
Case 1. Borrowing from tens
Example. Subtract 2148 from 6395 and verify the answer
Solution. How to do
Th H T O 5 < 8, borrow 1 ten from 9 tens
8 15 9 tens – 1 ten = 8 tens
6 3 9 5 1 ten + 5 ones
- 2 1 4 8 = 10 ones + 5 ones = 15 ones
4 2 4 7 Subtract the ones 15 – 8 = 7
Subtract the tens 8 – 4 = 4
Thus, 6395 – 2148 Subtract the hundreds 3 – 1 = 2
= 4247 Subtract the thousands 6 – 2 = 4
Verification
2 1 4 8 ? Second number
+ 4 2 4 7 ? Difference
6 3 9 5 ? First number
We add the difference and the second number to verify the answer. Their sum is same as the first number. So, the answer is correct.
Case 2. Borrowing from Hundreds
Example. Subtract 3692 fro 7865 and verify the answer
Solution. How to do
Th H T O Subtract the ones 5 – 2 = 3
7 16 6 < 9, so borrow1 hundred from 8 hundreds
7 8 6 5 8 hundreds – 1 hundred = 7 hundreds
- 3 6 9 2 1 hundred + 6 tens
4 1 7 3 = 10 tens + 6 tens = 16 tens
Subtract the tens 16 – 9 = 7
Thus, 7865 – 3692 = 4173 Subtract the hundreds 7 – 6 = 1
Subtract the thousands 7 – 3 = 4
Verification
3 6 9 2 ? Second number
+ 4 1 7 3 ? Difference
7 8 6 5 ? First number
We add the difference and the second number to verify the answer. Their sum is same as the first number. So, the answer is correct.
Case 3. Borrowing from Thousands
Example. Subtract 3975from 8397 and verify your answer
Solution. How to do
Th H T O Subtract the ones 7 – 5 = 2
7 13 Subtract the tens 9 – 7 = 2
8 3 9 7 3 < 9, so borrow 1 thousand from 8 thousands
- 3 9 7 5 8 thousands – 1 thousand = 7 thousands
1 thousands + 3 hundreds
= 10 hundreds + 3 hundreds = 13 hundreds
Subtract the hundreds 13 – 9 = 4
Subtract the thousands 7 – 3 = 4
Verification
3 9 7 5 ? Second number
- 4 4 2 2 ? Difference
8 3 9 7 ? First number
We add the difference and the second number to verify the answer. Their sum is same as the first number. So, the answer is correct.
Case 4. Borrowing from Tens and Hundreds
Example. Subtract 2279 fro 6744 and verify your answer
Solution. How to do
Th H T O 4 < 9, so borrow 1 ten from 4 tens
13 4 tens – 1 ten = 3 tens
6 3 14 1 ten + 4 ones
6 7 4 4 = 10 ones + 4 ones = 14 ones
- 2 2 7 9 Subtract the ones 14 – 9 = 5
3 < 7, so borrow 1 hundred from 7 hundreds
7 hundreds – 1 = 6 hundreds
1 hundreds + 3 tens
= 10 tens + 3 tens = 13 tens
Subtract the tens 13 – 7 = 6
Subtract the hundreds 6 – 2 = 4
Subtract the thousands 6 – 2 = 4
Verification
6 8 9 6 ? Second number
+ 2 7 4 3 ? Difference
9 6 3 9 ? First number
So, the answer is correct
Case 5. Borrowing Form Tens and Thousands
Example. Subtract 4737 from 9482 and verify your answer
Solution. How to do
Th H T O 2 < 7, so borrow 1 ten from 8 tens
8 14 7 12 8 tens – 1 = 7 tens
9 4 8 2 1 ten + 2 ones
- 4 7 3 7 = 10 ones + 2 ones = 12 ones
Subtract the ones 12 – 7 = 5
Subtract the tens 7 – 3 = 4
4 < 7, so borrow 1 thousand from 9 thousands
9 thousands- 1 thousand = 8 thousands
1 thousands + 4 hundreds
= 10 hundreds + 4 hundreds = 14 hundreds
Subtract the hundreds 14 – 7 = 7
Subtract the thousands 8 – 4 = 4
Verification
4 7 3 7 ? Second number
+ 4 7 4 5 ? Difference
9 4 8 2 ? First number
So, the answer is correct
Related Tags
4 digit number subtraction, Working on Subtraction - 4 Digits, Online support with examples on Subtraction (4 Digits)