Subtraction Best Tricks 2023

Subtraction is a fundamental arithmetic operation that allows us to find the difference between any two numbers. Whether you’re dealing with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, or even negative numbers, the process of subtraction remains consistent. Let’s explore how to perform subtraction with various examples.

1. Whole Numbers: Subtracting whole numbers involves finding the difference between two integers. For example: 23 – 8 = 15 50 – 27 = 23
2. Subtraction with Borrowing (Regrouping): When the digit in the subtrahend is larger than the corresponding digit in the minuend, borrowing (regrouping) is required. For instance: 321 – 127 = 194 908 – 512 = 396
3. Subtraction of Decimals: Subtracting decimals follows the same rules as whole numbers. Line up the decimal points and subtract each column from right to left: 10.5 – 3.2 = 7.3 8.75 – 1.25 = 7.50 (trailing zeros can be dropped)
4. Subtraction of Fractions: To subtract fractions, ensure the denominators are the same. Find a common denominator if needed: 3/5 – 1/5 = 2/5 4/7 – 2/7 = 2/7
5. Mixed Numbers Subtraction: Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions and then proceed with subtraction: 3 1/4 – 1 3/4 = (34 + 1)/4 – (14 + 3)/4 = 13/4 – 7/4 = 6/4 = 1 2/4 = 1 1/2
6. Subtraction with Negative Numbers: When subtracting negative numbers, it’s like adding the additive inverse. For example: 5 – (-3) = 5 + 3 = 8 -7 – (-2) = -7 + 2 = -5
7. Subtraction with Large Numbers: For larger numbers, it’s essential to line up the digits correctly and subtract each column: 5432

• 986

  4446

Remember that subtraction is not commutative, so the order matters. In other words, 8 – 3 is not the same as 3 – 8. The former yields 5, while the latter yields -5.

Subtraction is a foundational skill in mathematics and plays a crucial role in various applications, from everyday calculations to advanced problem-solving in science, engineering, and finance. Practicing different types of subtraction problems will enhance your skills and build a solid understanding of this arithmetic operation.

subtraction of ‘time’ is not as easy as adding simple numbers. That is because 60 minutes equals 1 hours. Let’s begin with adding numbers in this genre and look at an example related to it.

Adding Time 

Add 4 hours 45 minutes and 7 hours 57 minutes 

Solution

You can see in the above example that once the minute value is more then 60, we subtract 60 from that column and add 1 to the hour. In this case, we got 102 minutes in the minutes’ column which is more then 60 and so we subtracted 60 from 102, making the final answer in the minutes’ column as 102-60=42 minutes. Moreover, in order to adjust it, we added 1 in the hours’ column.

               The method I shall discuss here will make whole process of adding/subtracting numbers related to time easy as you need not add subtract multiples of 60 in the minutes column and add 1 in the hours’ column.

Rule:-

• Simply add the two numbers without considering it to be an hours-minutes.
• Add 40 to the final result.

Example: Add 4 hours 34 minutes and 5 hours 57 minutes 

Solution :- First write 434 and 557 for 4 hours 34 minutes and 5 hours 57 minutes respectively. Add them as shown below.434+557=991             Add 40 to sum of the two i.e. 991+40=1031       Hence 4 hours 34 minutes + 5 hours 57 minutes = 10 hours 31 minutes.

Subtraction Time 

Using subtraction with numbers related to time   ( Hours-Minutes) is as simple as adding them. Follow these three simple steps and you will get the answer.

• First subtract the hours’ bit separately.
• Subtract the minutes’ part in the same manner. Don’t worry if you get a negative sign. It may be that you have subtract 17 from 12.
• If the result of the minutes’ side of it comes out in the negative, then add 60 there and to balance the result, subtract 1 from the hours’ part.

Example :- Subtract 2 hours 27 minutes from 4 hours 34 minutes.

Solution:- 

• First subtract the hours’ part 4-2 =2
• Then subtract the minutes’ part 34-27=07 minutes.

Hence 4 hours 34 minutes – 2 hours 27 minutes =2 hours 07 minutes.