Subtracting Decimals

How to subtract decimals that have different numbers of decimal places

  • Write the number that is being subtracted from. Write the number that is being subtracted below the the first number so that the decimal point of the bottom number is directly below and lined up with the top decimal point.
  • Add zeros to the right side of the decimal with fewer decimal places so that each decimal has the same number of decimal places.
  • Subtract the bottom number from the top number.
Example: Subtract 11.48 - 3.2756
11.4800
 3.2756   
 8.2044

 







Subtracting Decimal Numbers