Solution - Long subtraction

Step-by-step explanation

Why learn this

Terms and topics

1. Rewrite the numbers from top to bottom, aligned by their place values

2. Subtract the numbers using long subtraction method

55.2

55.2

See steps

Put zeros in the blank number places:

Place value	thousands	hundreds	tens	ones	.	tenths

	2	6	1	0	.	0
-	2	5	5	4	.	8
					.

Because the upper digit (0) in the tenths column is too small to get a positive difference, borrow 1 from the number to the left (10) which becomes (09) and get (10).

Place value	thousands	hundreds	tens	ones	.	tenths
				0		10
	2	6	1	0	.	0
-	2	5	5	4	.	8
					.

Subtract the numbers in the tenths column from the top number:
10-0-8=2

Place value	thousands	hundreds	tens	ones	.	tenths
				0		10
	2	6	1	0	.	0
-	2	5	5	4	.	8
					.	2

Subtract the numbers in the ones column from the top number:
9-4=5

Place value	thousands	hundreds	tens	ones	.	tenths
				0		10
	2	6	1	0	.	0
-	2	5	5	4	.	8
				5	.	2

Because the upper digit (0) in the tens column is too small to get a positive difference, borrow 1 from the digit (6) in the next number place which becomes (5) and get (10).

Subtract the numbers in the tens column from the top number:
11-5=6

Subtract the numbers in the hundreds column from the top number:
5-5=0

Subtract the numbers in the thousands column from the top number:
2-2=0

The solution is: 55.2

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Place value

Long substraction