Subtract decimal numbers

Learning Objectives Subtract multi-digit decimal numbers by correctly aligning place values. Annex zeros as placeholders to subtract decimals with a different number of decimal places. Apply decimal subtraction to find the difference between two values of a rational function, f(b) - f(a). Solve word problems involving rational expressions that require the subtraction of decimal numbers. Verify the result of a decimal subtraction using estimation or by converting to fractional equivalents. Correctly handle borrowing across the decimal point in complex subtraction problems. An engineer is analyzing a rational function that models a rocket's velocity. How do they calculate the precise decrease in velocity between t=2.5 seconds and t=4.75 seconds? 🚀 This tutorial revisits...

TermDefinitionExample Decimal NumberA number that uses a decimal point to separate the whole number part from the fractional part. It is a way of representing a rational number where the denominator is a power of ten.The number 12.625 represents 12 and 625/1000. MinuendThe number from which another number is to be subtracted.In the expression 9.5 - 3.2, the minuend is 9.5. SubtrahendThe number that is to be subtracted from another number.In the expression 9.5 - 3.2, the subtrahend is 3.2. DifferenceThe result of subtracting one number from another.In the expression 9.5 - 3.2 = 6.3, the difference is 6.3. Annexing ZerosThe process of adding zeros to the right of the last decimal digit. This does not change the value of the decimal and is used to give the minuend and subtrahend the same num...

The Decimal Alignment Rule a.bcd - e.f = ? \rightarrow \begin{array}{c} a.bcd \\ - e.f00 \\ \hline \end{array} When subtracting decimals, always align the numbers vertically so that the decimal points are in the same column. All corresponding place values (ones, tenths, hundredths, etc.) will then be aligned. Annex zeros if necessary to ensure both numbers have the same number of decimal places. The Borrowing (Regrouping) Rule If a digit in the minuend is smaller than the corresponding digit in the subtrahend, borrow 1 from the digit to the left, which is equivalent to adding 10 to the current digit. This rule applies across the decimal point just as it does with whole numbers. Borrowing from the ones place gives 10 to the tenths place. Borrowing from the tenths place gives...