Solution - Long subtraction

3, 968

3,968

See steps

Step-by-step explanation

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

Place value	thousands	hundreds	tens	ones

	4	9	3	7
-		9	6	9

2. Subtract the numbers using long subtraction method

Because the upper digit (7) in the ones column is too small to get a positive difference, borrow 1 from the digit (3) in the next number place which becomes (2) and get (17).

Place value	thousands	hundreds	tens	ones
			2	17
	4	9	3	7
-		9	6	9

Subtract the numbers in the ones column from the top number:
17-9=8

Place value	thousands	hundreds	tens	ones
			2	17
	4	9	3	7
-		9	6	9
				8

Because the upper digit (2) in the tens column is too small to get a positive difference, borrow 1 from the digit (9) in the next number place which becomes (8) and get (12).

Place value	thousands	hundreds	tens	ones
		8	12
			2	17
	4	9	3	7
-		9	6	9
				8

Subtract the numbers in the tens column from the top number:
12-6=6

Place value	thousands	hundreds	tens	ones
		8	12
			2	17
	4	9	3	7
-		9	6	9
			6	8

Because the upper digit (8) in the hundreds 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 (18).

Place value	thousands	hundreds	tens	ones
	3	18
		8	12
			2	17
	4	9	3	7
-		9	6	9
			6	8

Subtract the numbers in the hundreds column from the top number:
18-9=9

Place value	thousands	hundreds	tens	ones
	3	18
		8	12
			2	17
	4	9	3	7
-		9	6	9
		9	6	8

Write 3 in the thousands place.

Place value	thousands	hundreds	tens	ones
	3	18
		8	12
			2	17
	4	9	3	7
-		9	6	9
	3	9	6	8

The solution is: 3,968

How did we do?

Please leave us feedback.

Why learn this

Terms and topics

Long substraction