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Subtraction Sums Rules and Example

Subtraction sums help students practice finding the difference between numbers, which is an important aspect of learning basic math. Learn the basic rules of subtraction sums here:

Chandni 23 Oct, 2024

Subtraction Sums: One of the most critical operations of arithmetic is subtraction. Subtraction is the process of calculating the difference between two given numbers. In our day-to-day lives, we need to apply the concept of subtraction very often.

Subtraction sums are essential to the curriculum to keep students well-versed in subtraction methods through practical applications. This blog will discuss subtraction sums with various examples to help you understand and apply the idea effectively.

What is Subtraction?

Subtraction is the process of removing or taking away a few things from a group of objects and making the group smaller. For example, if you bought 10 chocolates and gave your sister 4 chocolates, you have 6 chocolates left with you. This can be explained by using a subtraction operation between 10 and 4 to get the number 6. The written expression for the same will be 10 - 4 = 6, where the minus (-) sign denotes the subtraction operation between the given numbers. In subtraction sums, words like ‘deduct’, ‘less’, ‘difference’, ‘taking away’, etc. indicate that the subtraction operation is required.

Basic Rules of Subtractions

There are specific fundamental rules to the concept of subtraction. The more significant number will always be at the top of the smaller number, and we always start by subtracting the digits on the rightmost side. Further, the tens-place digits are subtracted, then the hundredth-place digits, and so on. For example, the subtraction between 5738 and 4316 can be done as follows:

Larger number	5738
Smaller number	- 4316
Difference	1422

It is to be noted that the number obtained as a result of subtraction is the number that we remove from the more significant number to get the smaller number (removing 1422 from 5738 gives 4316). In other words, adding the smaller number with the difference gives you the more significant number (4316 added to 1422 gives 5738).

Parts of Subtraction

In a subtraction operation, there are three parts as follows:

Minuend : The number from which the other number is subtracted
Subtrahend : The number that is subtracted from the minuend
Difference : The result obtained after subtracting the subtrahend from the minuend

So, we can write: Minuend - Subtrahend = Difference

Subtraction Using Number Line

Using the number line, we can understand the basic concept of subtraction. In the number line, we first mark the larger digit out of the two given numbers. Then we move to the left on the line and mark the smaller digit. Then we count the places we move in this process, which is the answer of the subtraction between the two numbers. For example, to find the difference between 7 and 4, we start with 7 on the number line and move to the left up to 4. We move 3 places from 7 to reach 4, so the answer of 7-4 will be 3.

Subtraction with Borrowing

In some cases, the digits from which we have to subtract are smaller than the other numbers. In this case, we have to use the method of borrowing for subtraction. For example, to subtract 38 from 51, we have to apply the borrowing methods to get the answer. The steps for this process are explained below.

S tep 1: First, start from the one’s place, which is 1.

Step 2 : Borrow 1 from the tens , is 5 in this case. Step 3: Carry this number 1 to the one’s place digit to make it 11. Step 4: Subtract 8 from 11 and write the answer 3 below in one’s place. Step 5: Now that 1 has been borrowed from 5, it becomes 4. Step 6: Subtract 3 from 4 and write the answer 1 below in tens place. So, the result of subtraction between 51 and 38 will be 13.

Examples of Subtraction Sums

Subtraction sums represent real-life situations where you must find solutions by calculating a number using subtraction methods. The subtraction process to solve the sums may involve dealing with quantities, amounts, prices, etc., as used in practical situations. Let’s go through the following examples to understand better how to apply subtraction concepts in solving sums. Sum #1 Mr Sharma invited 150 guests, and 127 showed up. How many people did not come to the party? Solution: The total number of people invited was 150 The number of people who showed up was 127 To calculate the number of people who did not come, we have to subtract 127 from 150. The result of subtraction will be: 150-127 = 23 The answer would be 23 people. Sum #2 Mrs. Roy went to the market with Rs. 2200 and purchased groceries worth Rs. 1365. How much money is left with her? Solution: Mrs. Roy had money = Rs. 2200 She spent on groceries = Rs. 1365 So, the money left with her can be obtained by subtracting 1365 from 2200. Therefore, the answer will be. 2200- 1365 = Rs. 835. Sum #3 Sonu got 338 marks on an exam, and his sister Puja obtained 40 marks less than Sonu. How many marks did Puja score? Solution: Sonu scored 338 marks Puja obtained 40 marks less than Sonu. To get Puja’s score, we have to reduce the marks of Sonu by 40, which means subtracting 40 from 338. So, the score of Puja was 338- 40 = 298 marks. Sum #4 What is to be added to 3684 to get 6549? Solution: The smaller number is 3684 The more significant number is 6549 We need to find out the number to be added to 3684 to get 6549. This means we must subtract 3684 from 6549 to get the required number. So, the answer will be 6549 – 3684 = 2865 Understanding the concept of subtraction is essential for students to strengthen their knowledge base in mathematics. These concepts are always helpful in different theoretical applications and our daily lives. More practice with subtraction sums can help students clarify the concepts.

Subtraction Sums FAQs

How does the number line help in subtraction?

A number line provides a visual aid that helps us understand subtraction by simply jumping backwards and forward on each number.

How do we get the predecessor of a number by subtraction?

We get the predecessor of a number by subtracting one from that number.

What terms are used in problem sums that use the subtraction method to solve the sums?

Words like difference, less, decrease, take away, deduct, etc. are the terms that indicate that you need to subtract one number from another.

What are Minuend and Subtrahend?

The number from which the other number is subtracted is called minuend, and the number subtracted from minuend is called subtrahend.

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What is Subtraction?

Basic Rules of Subtractions

Larger number	5738
Smaller number	- 4316
Difference	1422

Parts of Subtraction

In a subtraction operation, there are three parts as follows:

Minuend : The number from which the other number is subtracted
Subtrahend : The number that is subtracted from the minuend
Difference : The result obtained after subtracting the subtrahend from the minuend