3rd level

Column addition and subtractionColumn subtraction

In the column method of addition and subtraction, numbers are written so their place values line up vertically forming columns for ones, tens, hundreds, thousands etc.

Part ofMathsNumber and number processes

Column subtraction

Numbers can also be subtracted using the column method.

Example

What is \(548 - 125\)?

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Start from the ones column: 8 - 5 = 3
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In the tens column: 40 - 20 = 20. 2 is written in the tens column as this is worth 20
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In the hundreds column: 500 - 100 = 400. 4 is written in the hundreds column as this is worth 400
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The finished subtraction

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Start from the ones column: 3 - 7
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It is not possible to subtract 7 from 3 so exchange one ten from the tens column for ten ones: 13 - 7 = 6
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In the tens column, one 10 has been exchanged so 40 becomes 30: 30 – 30 = 0
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In the hundreds column: 300 - 200 = 100. 1 is written in the hundreds column as this is worth 100
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The finished subtraction

Question

Using column subtraction, work out the value of \(427 - 363\).

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Column addition

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