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Study Guides > Prealgebra

Summary: Subtracting Whole Numbers

Key Concepts

Operation Notation Expression Read as Result
Subtraction [latex]-[/latex] [latex]7 - 3[/latex] seven minus three the difference of [latex]7[/latex] and [latex]3[/latex]
  • Subtract whole numbers.
    1. Write the numbers so each place value lines up vertically.
    2. Subtract the digits in each place value. Work from right to left starting with the ones place. If the digit on top is less than the digit below, borrow as needed.
    3. Continue subtracting each place value from right to left, borrowing if needed.
    4. Check by adding.
 

Glossary

difference
The difference is the result of subtracting two or more numbers.
 

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