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Subtracting decimals

We'll start with simple problems like 0.9 - 0.8 and build to more complex problems like 12.6 - 8.89.
This article is designed to help you learn how to subtract decimals by letting you jump in and give it a try without being shown how to do it first.
The problems go from easy to more difficult, and along the way there are examples and explanations in case you get stuck. If you get confused, just think of it as a chance to learn!
Let's start by subtracting tenths.

Problem set 1:

Problem 1a
  • Current
0, point, 8, minus, 0, point, 6, equals
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3, slash, 5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7, slash, 4
  • a mixed number, like 1, space, 3, slash, 4
  • an exact decimal, like 0, point, 75
  • a multiple of pi, like 12, space, start text, p, i, end text or 2, slash, 3, space, start text, p, i, end text

Beautiful! Let's move on to problems with whole numbers and tenths.

Problem set 2:

Problem 2a
  • Current
1, point, 5, minus, 1, point, 2, equals
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3, slash, 5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7, slash, 4
  • a mixed number, like 1, space, 3, slash, 4
  • an exact decimal, like 0, point, 75
  • a multiple of pi, like 12, space, start text, p, i, end text or 2, slash, 3, space, start text, p, i, end text

Excellent! Let's move on to work with some larger numbers.

Problem set 3:

Problem 3a
  • Current
12, point, 3, minus, 2, equals
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3, slash, 5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7, slash, 4
  • a mixed number, like 1, space, 3, slash, 4
  • an exact decimal, like 0, point, 75
  • a multiple of pi, like 12, space, start text, p, i, end text or 2, slash, 3, space, start text, p, i, end text

Rockin'! Let's move on to some more difficult problems with whole numbers and tenths.

Problem set 4:

Problem 4a
  • Current
9, minus, 4, point, 9, equals
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3, slash, 5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7, slash, 4
  • a mixed number, like 1, space, 3, slash, 4
  • an exact decimal, like 0, point, 75
  • a multiple of pi, like 12, space, start text, p, i, end text or 2, slash, 3, space, start text, p, i, end text

Cool! Now let's subtract hundredths.

Problem set 5:

Problem 5a
  • Current
0, point, 64, minus, 0, point, 41, equals
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3, slash, 5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7, slash, 4
  • a mixed number, like 1, space, 3, slash, 4
  • an exact decimal, like 0, point, 75
  • a multiple of pi, like 12, space, start text, p, i, end text or 2, slash, 3, space, start text, p, i, end text

Great! Let's move on to problems with whole numbers, tenths, and hundredths.

Problem set 6:

Problem 6a
  • Current
0, point, 53, minus, 0, point, 4, equals
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3, slash, 5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7, slash, 4
  • a mixed number, like 1, space, 3, slash, 4
  • an exact decimal, like 0, point, 75
  • a multiple of pi, like 12, space, start text, p, i, end text or 2, slash, 3, space, start text, p, i, end text

Rockin'! Now we're ready to use bigger numbers.

Problem set 7:

Problem 7a
  • Current
44, point, 83, minus, 32, equals
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3, slash, 5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7, slash, 4
  • a mixed number, like 1, space, 3, slash, 4
  • an exact decimal, like 0, point, 75
  • a multiple of pi, like 12, space, start text, p, i, end text or 2, slash, 3, space, start text, p, i, end text

Sweet! Let's finish with some more challenging problems.

Problem set 8:

Problem 8a
  • Current
9, minus, 6, point, 35, equals
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3, slash, 5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7, slash, 4
  • a mixed number, like 1, space, 3, slash, 4
  • an exact decimal, like 0, point, 75
  • a multiple of pi, like 12, space, start text, p, i, end text or 2, slash, 3, space, start text, p, i, end text

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