Solution - Long subtraction

1.666

1.666

See steps

Step-by-step explanation

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

Place value	ones	.	tenths	hundredths	thousandths

	4	.	6
-	2	.	9	3	4
		.

Put zeros in the blank number places:

Place value	ones	.	tenths	hundredths	thousandths

	4	.	6	0	0
-	2	.	9	3	4
		.

2. Subtract the numbers using long subtraction method

Because the upper digit (0) in the thousandths column is too small to get a positive difference, borrow 1 from the number to the left (60) which becomes (59) and get (10).

Place value	ones	.	tenths	hundredths	thousandths
			5	9	10
	4	.	6	0	0
-	2	.	9	3	4
		.

Subtract the numbers in the thousandths column from the top number:
10-0-4=6

Place value	ones	.	tenths	hundredths	thousandths
			5	9	10
	4	.	6	0	0
-	2	.	9	3	4
		.			6

Subtract the numbers in the hundredths column from the top number:
9-3=6

Place value	ones	.	tenths	hundredths	thousandths
			5	9	10
	4	.	6	0	0
-	2	.	9	3	4
		.		6	6

Because the upper digit (5) in the tenths column is too small to get a positive difference, borrow 1 from the digit (4) in the next number place which becomes (3) and get (15).

Place value	ones	.	tenths	hundredths	thousandths
	3		15
			5	9	10
	4	.	6	0	0
-	2	.	9	3	4
		.		6	6

Subtract the numbers in the tenths column from the top number:
15-9=6

Place value	ones	.	tenths	hundredths	thousandths
	3		15
			5	9	10
	4	.	6	0	0
-	2	.	9	3	4
		.	6	6	6

Subtract the numbers in the ones column from the top number:
3-2=1

Place value	ones	.	tenths	hundredths	thousandths
	3		15
			5	9	10
	4	.	6	0	0
-	2	.	9	3	4
	1	.	6	6	6

The solution is: 1.666

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Long substraction