Multi-Digit Subtraction
Once you have mastered borrowing, multi-digit subtraction applies the same technique column by column regardless of how many digits are involved.
Three-Digit Example
Ones: 3−5 → borrow; 13−5=8. Tens: 3(after borrow)−8 → borrow; 13−8=5. Hundreds: 6−2=4. Answer: 458. Check: 458+285=743 ✓
Four-Digit Example
Ones: 0−8 borrow chain: 7200 → 7199 (inner). 10−8=2. Tens: 9−5=4. Hundreds: 1−4 → borrow; 11−4=7. Thousands: 6−3=3. Answer: 3,742
Try It Yourself: 5,326 − 2,183
Press each step below (or use Auto Play) to subtract 5,326 − 2,183 column by column. Watch the tens column borrow explicitly from the hundreds column.
Check: 3,143 + 2,183 = 5,326 ✓ Only the tens column needed to borrow — every other column subtracted directly.
Five-Digit Example
Work column by column right to left with borrowing as needed. Answer: 24,636. Check: 24,636+28,765=53,401 ✓
Key Tips
- Work right to left — never skip a column.
- When borrowing across zeros, each zero becomes 9 after lending one to its right.
- Estimate first to check plausibility.
- Verify: difference + subtrahend = minuend.
Key Takeaways
- The same borrowing technique applies for any number of digits.
- Borrowing chains through zeros methodically.
- Always verify your answer by adding.
Practice: Subtract Large Numbers
A fresh 4 or 5-digit subtraction appears every time. If you get it wrong (or leave it blank), we'll go through every column together.