Subtracting 2-Digit Numbers

In subtracting 2-digit numbers we will subtract or minus a one-digit number from another two-digit number and a two-digit number from another two-digit number. To find the difference between the two numbers we need to ‘ones from ones’ and ‘tens from tens’.

Let us subtract 2 from 39

= 37 ones = 3 tens + 7 ones

Subtract ones and write in the ones place. 9 ones – 2 ones = 7 ones Subtract tens and write in the tens place. 3 tens – 0 tens = 3 tens

39 – 2 = 37

Let us subtract 34 from 65.

= 31 ones = 3 tens + 1 one

Subtract ones and write in the ones place. 5 ones – 4 ones = 1 ones Subtract tens and write in the tens place. 6 tens – 3 tens = 3 tens

65 – 34 = 31

How to subtract two digit numbers?

The steps of the examples on subtracting 2-digit numbers i.e. ‘ones from ones’ and ‘tens from tens’:

1. Subtract 41 from 63.

(i) First arrange the numbers vertically so that the tens' place digits and ones' place digits are lined up which means in simple one number should be written above the other number. Draw a line under the bottom number.

(ii) Subtract the digits in the ones place. Subtract (3 - 1 = 2). Place 2 in the ones column as shown.

(iii) Subtract the digits in the tens' place. Subtract (6 - 4 = 2). Place 2 in the tens column as shown.

(iv) The difference of 63 – 41 is 22

2. Subtract 52 from 86.

(i) First arrange the numbers vertically so that the tens' place digits and ones' place digits are lined up which means in simple one number should be written above the other number. Draw a line under the bottom number.

(ii) Subtract the digits in the ones place. Subtract (6 - 2 = 4). Place 4 in the ones column as shown.

(iii) Subtract the digits in the tens' place. Subtract (8 - 5 = 3). Place 3 in the tens column as shown.

(iv) The difference of 86 - 52 is 34

3. Subtract 42 from 78

Solution:

(i) Given numbers are written in column form. The greater number is written first, then the smaller number is written. (ii) First, the digits of one’s place are taken. 2 is subtracted from 8.  8 ones – 2 ones = 6 ones. This 6 is written in one’s column.              (iii) Now digits of tens place are written 4 is subtracted from 7.     7 tens – 4 tens = 3 tens. This 3 is written in tens column.

Hence, 78 - 42 = 36

4. Let us subtract 24 from 39.

Let us learn how to subtract 2-digit numbers using an abacus.

1. Subtract 26 from 49.

Step I: Look at the ones rod.

Take away 6 beads.

9 – 6 = 3

Step II: Look at the tens rod. Take away 2 beads. 4 – 2 = 2 We get the number 23. Thus, 49 – 26 = 23

2. Subtract 31 from 73.

Step I: Look at the ones rod.

Take away 1 bead.

3 – 1 = 2

Step II: Look at the tens rod. Take away 3 beads. 7 – 3 = 4 We get the number 42. Thus, 73 – 31 = 42

Note: To do subtraction using an abacus, first subtract the beads o the ones rod and then subtract the beads on the tens rod.

Subtraction without Borrowing:

1. Let us subtract 7 from 29.

Step I: Arrange the two numbers under tens and ones.

Step II: First subtract the ones.

Step III: Subtract the tens.

Thus, 29 – 7 = 22

2. Subtract 23 from 38.

Step I: Arrange the two numbers under tens and ones.

Step II: First subtract the ones.

Step III: Subtract the tens.

Thus, 38 – 23 = 15

● In subtraction there are three numbers as:

     95  ←   the number from which smaller number is subtracted is called minuend. 

  - 23   ←   the number to be subtracted is called the subtrahend.

    72   ←    the number which is the subtracted result is called the difference.

Here, in subtracting 2-digit numbers we get 95 is minuend, 23 is subtrahend and 72 is difference.

Minuend is always greater than subtrahend.

More Examples on Subtraction of Two Digit Numbers

1. Subtract 23 from 36.

     T  O

     3  6  = 3 tens + 6 ones   =  30 + 6

     2  3  = 2 tens + 3 ones   =  20 + 3

   -          -           -                 -     -     

     1  3  = 1 ten  + 3 ones   = 10 + 3     = 13

Method:

Step I: Subtract the ones,

6 ones - 3 ones = 3 ones.

Write 3 under the ones column.

Step II: Subtract the tens,

3 tens - 2 tens = 1 ten.

Write 1 under the tens column.

Therefore, 36 - 23 = 13

We can do the same problem in a short way

Short way:

                 T   O

                 3   6

             -   2   3

                 1   3            (Steps remain the same as above)

2. Subtract 23 from 36.

                 T   O

                 7   8

             -   3   2

                 4   6  

Method:

Step I: Subtract the ones,

8 ones - 2 ones = 6 ones.

Write 6 under the ones column.

Step II: Subtract the tens,

7 tens - 3 tens = 4 tens.

Write 4 under the tens column.

Therefore, 78 - 32 = 46

Worksheet on Subtracting 2-Digit Numbers:

1. Subtract the following:

(i) 60 - 10 = _____

(ii) 58 - 13 = _____

(iii) 88 - 33 = _____

(iv) 62 - 41 = _____

(v) 43 - 21 = _____

(vi) 57 - 26 = _____

(vii) 72 - 61 = _____

(viii) 47 - 11 = _____

(ix) 97 - 45 = _____

(x) 38 - 26 = _____

(xi) 71 - 60 = _____

(xii) 25 - 14 = _____

(xiii) 63 - 32 = _____

(xiv) 59 - 20 = _____

(xv) 37 - 12 = _____

(xvi) 89 - 69 = _____

Answer:

1. (i) 50

(ii) 45

(iii) 55

(iv) 21

(v) 22

(vi) 31

(vii) 11

(viii) 36

(ix) 52

(x) 12

(xi) 11

(xii) 11

(xiii) 31

(xiv) 39

(xv) 25

(xvi) 20

First Grade Math Activities

2nd Grade Math Practice

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