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Rounding decimals Place valueSubtracting decimals
Here you will learn about subtracting decimals, including how to subtract decimals and solve problems that involve the subtraction of decimal numbers.
Students will first learn about subtracting decimals in 5th grade math using concrete models and expand that knowledge into 6th grade using the algorithm for subtraction.
What is subtracting decimals?
Subtracting decimals is when you subtract numbers involving decimals.
Subtracting decimal numbers is very similar to subtracting multi-digit whole numbers.
Let’s look at strategies for subtracting decimals.
| Subtracting decimals with the same decimal places |
|---|
| Using a model |
1.66-0.95 = \, ?
 Regrouped 1 to be 10 tenths  Matching 9 tenths and 5 hundredths to be removed.  |
| Subtracting decimals with the same decimal places |
|---|
| Using the algorithm |
1.66-0.95 = \, ?
The answer in standard form is \bf{0.71}
|
| Subtracting decimals with different decimal places |
|---|
| Using a model |
0.8 - 0.25 = \, ?
 Regrouped 0.80 to be 7 tenths and 10 hundredths  Matching 2 tenths and 5 hundredths to be removed.  |
| Subtracting decimals with different decimal places |
|---|
| Using the algorithm |
0.8-0.25 = \, ?
The answer in standard form is \bf{0.55}
|
| Subtracting a decimal from a whole number |
|---|
| Using a model |
2-0.85 = \, ?
 Regrouped 1 to be 9 tenths and 10 hundredths  Matching 8 tenths and 5 hundredths to be removed.  |
| Subtracting a decimal from a whole number |
|---|
| Using the algorithm |
2-0.85 = \, ?
The answer in standard form is \bf{1.15}
|
What is subtracting decimals?
Common Core State Standards
How does this relate to 5th grade math and 6th grade math?
- Grade 5 – Number and Operations – Base Ten (5.NBT.B.7)
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used.
- Grade 6 – Number System (6.NS.B.3)
Fluently add, subtract, multiply, and divide multi-digit decimals using the standard algorithm for each operation.
How to subtract decimals
In order to subtract decimal numbers using models:
- Show each number using decimal models.
- Group matching parts.
- Count up the leftover squares and write the answer in standard form.
In order to subtract decimals:
- Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points and place values.
- Add \bf{0} ’s as placeholders where necessary.
- Subtract each column from right to left regrouping when necessary.
- Write your final answer with the decimal point and check to make sure your answer is reasonable.
![[FREE] Subtracting Decimals Worksheets (Grade 5)](https://thirdspacelearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Subtracting-Decimals-Worksheets-listing-image.png)
[FREE] Subtracting Decimals Worksheets (Grade 5)
Use this worksheet to check your grade 5 students’ understanding of subtracting decimals. 15 questions with answers to identify areas of strength and support!
DOWNLOAD FREE [FREE] Subtracting Decimals Worksheets (Grade 5)
Use this worksheet to check your grade 5 students’ understanding of subtracting decimals. 15 questions with answers to identify areas of strength and support!
DOWNLOAD FREESubtracting decimal examples
Example 1: subtract decimals using hundredths grid
Subtract 2.03 - 1.2
- Show each number using decimal models.
2Group matching parts.
3Remove the grouped parts and write what is left.
There are 8 tenths and 3 hundredths left over. The answer in standard form is 0.83.
Example 2: subtracting numbers with the same amount of decimal places
Subtract the numbers 7.3 - 2.8
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points and place values.
Add \bf{0} ’s as placeholders where necessary.
All place values lined up.
Subtract each column from right to left regrouping when necessary.
Write your final answer with the decimal point and check to make sure your answer is reasonable.
Answer: 4.5
Is the answer reasonable?
7.3 rounds to 7 and 2.8 rounds to 3.
The answer should be close to 7 - 3 = 4.
It is, so 4.5 is reasonable.
Example 3: subtracting decimals with the same amount of decimal places
Subtract the numbers 12.43 - 7.81
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points and place values.
Add \bf{0} ’s as placeholders where necessary.
Not necessary because the decimals have the same number of decimal places.
Subtract each column from right to left regrouping when necessary.
Write your final answer with the decimal point and check to make sure your answer is reasonable.
Answer: 4.62
Is the answer reasonable?
12.43 rounds to 12 and 7.81 rounds to 8.
The answer should be close to 12 - 8 = 4.
It is, so 4.62 is reasonable.
Example 4: subtracting decimals that have different decimal places
Subtract the numbers 0.8 - 0.17
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points and place values.
Add \bf{0} ’s as placeholders where necessary.
Subtract each column from right to left regrouping when necessary.
Example 5: subtracting decimals with different decimal places
Subtract the numbers 9.1 - 3.276
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points and place values.
Add \bf{0} ’s as placeholders where necessary.
Subtract each column from right to left regrouping when necessary.
Write your final answer with the decimal point and check to make sure your answer is reasonable.
Answer: 5.824
Is the answer reasonable?
9.1 rounds to 9 and 3.276 rounds to 3.
The answer should be close to 9 - 3 = 6.
It is, so 5.824 is reasonable.
Example 6: subtracting decimals where one number is a whole number
Subtract the numbers 5 - 2.081
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points and place values.
Add \bf{0} ’s as placeholders where necessary.
Subtract each column from right to left regrouping when necessary.
Write your final answer with the decimal point and check to make sure your answer is reasonable.
Answer: 2.919
Is the answer reasonable?
2.081 rounds to 2.
The answer should be close to 5 - 2 = 3.
It is, so 2.919 is reasonable.
Example 7: word problem
Micah goes to lunch and buys a burger, fries, and a drink for \$8.49. He gives the cashier a \$20 bill. How much change does he get back?
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points and place values.
Add \bf{0} ’s as placeholders where necessary.
Subtract each column from right to left regrouping when necessary.
Write your final answer with the decimal point and check to make sure your answer is reasonable.
Micah will get \$11.51 back.
Is the answer reasonable?
\$11.51 rounds to \$11.50 or \$12.
The answer should be close to 20 - 8.50 = 11.50 or 20 - 8 = 12.
It is, so \$11.51 is reasonable.
Teaching tips for subtracting decimals
- Use visual models to develop students’ understanding of place value along with subtraction.
- Although practice worksheets help students master skills, infusing resources that promote conceptual understanding will provide students with deep understanding of the numerical concepts. Strong number sense leads to strong algebraic understanding.
- Reinforce estimation strategies so that the decimal numbers make sense to students.
Our favorite mistakes
- Not lining up the decimal points and place values
A common error when subtracting decimals occurs when the decimal points are not lined up but instead the last digits are lined up.
- Not placing \bf{0} ’s as placeholders
Subtracting the numbers 10 - 0.51
Practice subtracting decimals questions
1. Subtract the numbers 1.04-0.23
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points.
No 0 ’s are needed as placeholders. Subtract from right to left, regrouping when necessary.
Check if the answer is reasonable.
1.04 rounds to 1 and 0.23 rounds to 0.
The answer should be close to 1-0 = 1
It is, so 0.81 is reasonable.
2. Subtract the numbers 12.5-7.8
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points.
No 0 ’s are needed for placeholders. Subtract from right to left, regrouping when necessary.
The answer in standard form is 4.7
Check to see if the answer is reasonable.
12.5 rounds to 13 and 7.8 rounds to 8.
The answer should be close to 13-8 = 5
It is, so 4.7 is reasonable.
3. Subtract the numbers 56.29-2.47
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points.
No 0 ’s are needed for placeholders. Subtract from right to left, regrouping when necessary.
The answer is 53.82
Check to see if the answer is reasonable.
56.29 rounds to 56 and 2.47 rounds to 2.
The answer should be close to 56-2 = 54
It is, so 53.82 is reasonable.
4. Subtract the numbers 23.4-16.573
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points and place values. Add 0 ’s as placeholders.
Subtract from right to left, regrouping when necessary.
The answer is 6.827
Check to see if the answer is reasonable.
23.4 rounds to 23 and 16.573 rounds to 17.
The answer should be close to 23-17 = 6
It is, so 6.827 is reasonable.
5. Subtract the numbers 8.29-5.9
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points and place values. Add 0 ’s as placeholders.
Subtract from right to left, regrouping when necessary.
Check to see if the answer is reasonable.
8.29 rounds to 8 and 5.9 rounds to 6.
The answer should be close to 8-6 = 2
It is, so 2.39 is reasonable.
6. Subtract the numbers 24-11.27
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points and place values. Add 0 ’s as placeholders.
Subtract from right to left, regrouping when necessary.
Check to see if the answer is reasonable.
11.27 rounds to 11.
The answer should be close to 24-11 = 13
It is, so 12.73 is reasonable.
7. Henry and Joseph dumped out all the change in their piggy banks. Henry counted \$6.19 and Joseph counted \$3.46. How much more money does Henry have than Joseph?
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points and place values. Add 0 s as placeholders.
Subtract from right to left, regrouping when necessary.
Check to see if the answer is reasonable.
6.19 rounds to 6 and 3.46 rounds to 3.
The answer should be close 6-3 = 3
It is, so \$2.73 is reasonable.
8. A group of 6 th grade students competed in a race. The table shows their times to the nearest hundredth of a second.
How much faster did Jenna run the race than Clyde?
0.943 seconds
0.541 seconds
0.863 seconds
0.769 seconds
Stack the numbers with the larger one on top, lining up the decimal points and place values. Add 0 s as placeholders.
Subtract from right to left, regrouping when necessary.
Check to see if the answer is reasonable.
13.057 rounds to 13 and 12.194 rounds to 12.
The answer should be close 13-12 = 1
It is, so 0.863 is reasonable.
Subtracting decimals FAQs
They have similar procedures, such as lining up decimal points, place values, and adding 0 ’s as place holders. When you subtract decimals in 5th grade and 6th grade it’s important to stack the decimal numbers so that the larger number is on top. When you add decimals, that step isn’t necessary.
Using estimation strategies such as rounding is a good practice when doing decimal operations. Whole numbers are easier to conceptualize than decimal numbers so it’s a good practice to determine if your answer is reasonable.
Following the Common Core recommendations, in 5th grade, students should work with tenths place, hundredths place and thousandths place. In 6th grade this is expanded to smaller numbers. Check your state’s specific standards for further clarification.
To subtract decimals, you must stack the numbers with the larger one on top, ensuring that the decimal points and place values are aligned. You may need to add zeros as placeholders in the number with fewer decimal places to maintain alignment. Then, subtract each column from right to left and regroup when necessary. The decimal point must be placed in the same position in the answer as the original numbers.
To subtract a larger decimal from a smaller decimal, follow the same steps to subtract decimals – align the numbers and decimal points with the larger number on top, use zeros where necessary, then subtract from right to left. This will give you the difference between the two numbers. Your final answer, however, will be negative since the larger decimal is being subtracted from the smaller decimal.
To subtract decimals with different decimal places, you will use zeros as placeholders in the number that has fewer decimal places. Then, follow the steps to subtract.
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