Subtraction Tricks

Subtraction tricks can make the process of subtracting numbers faster and easier, especially when dealing with large numbers or specific cases. In this article, we have covered Subtraction definitions, formulas and various tips and tricks to solve subtraction easily.

What is Subtraction?

Subtraction is a basic arithmetic operation that represents the process of removing a quantity from another quantity. It is one of the four fundamental operations in arithmetic, alongside addition, multiplication, and division. The operation of subtraction is denoted by the minus sign (-). In our smaller classes, we use our fingers to subtract as shown in the image added below,

But using fingers for subtracting large numbers is not practically possible, so we use different tricks to perform subtraction effortlessly.

Subtraction Formula

Basic subtraction formula is:

Difference = Minuend - Subtrahend

Here are some useful subtraction tricks along with examples:

Subtraction Tips and Tricks with Examples

Various Subtraction tricks with examples are added below:

Subtracting From a Base Number

This trick is useful when subtracting from numbers like 100, 1000, 10,000, etc.

Example: Subtract 74 from 100

Solution:

• Subtract each digit of 74 from 9: 9 - 7 = 29 - 7 = 2, 9 - 4 = 59 - 4 = 5
• Subtract the last digit from 10: 10 - 4 = 610 - 4 = 6
• Answer is 26

Subtraction by Addition

When subtracting a number, you can add the complement to the minuend subtract 1 and then subtract them accordingly as shown in the example added below:

Example: Subtract 47 from 83

Solution:

• Find the complement of 47 with respect to 100: 100 - 47 = 53100 - 47 = 53
• Add the complement to the minuend: 83 + 53 = 13683 + 53 = 136
• Subtract 100 from the result: 136 - 100 = 36136 - 100 = 36
• Subtract 1 to get the final result: 36 - 1 = 3536 - 1 = 35

Borrow and Pay Back

When subtracting digits in a column, if the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit, borrow from the next column and then subtract them accordingly as shown in the example added below:

Example: Subtract 487 from 623

Solution:

• Start from the rightmost digit: 3 - 7 (need to borrow 1 from the next column, making it 13 - 7 = 6)
• Next column now has 1 less: 1 - 8 (need to borrow 1 from the next column, making it 11 - 8 = 3)
• Leftmost column: 5 - 4 = 1
• Answer is 136

Breaking Down Numbers

Break down the numbers into parts that are easier to subtract and then subtract them accordingly as shown in the example added below:

Example: Subtract 356 from 729

Solution:

• Break down 356 into 300 + 50 + 6
• Subtract step by step:
  • 729 - 300 = 429729 - 300 = 429
  • 429 - 50 = 379429 - 50 = 379
  • 379 - 6 = 373379 - 6 = 373
• Answer is 373

Subtracting Using Number Lines

Visualize subtraction on a number line, moving left for each subtraction step and then subtract them accordingly as shown in the example added below:

Example: Subtract 58 from 93

Solution:

• Start at 93 on the number line
• Move left 50 steps: 93 - 50 = 4393 - 50 = 43
• Move left another 8 steps: 43 - 8 = 3543 - 8 = 35
• Answer is 35

Also, subtraction of 3 from 7 is shown in the image added below:

Equal Additions

Add the same number to both the minuend and subtrahend to make the subtraction easier and then subtract them accordingly as shown in the example added below:

Example: Subtract 496 from 812

Solution:

• Add 4 to both numbers: 812 + 4 = 816812 + 4 = 816 and 496 + 4 = 500496 + 4 = 500
• Subtract the new numbers: 816 - 500 = 316816 - 500 = 316
• Answer is 316

Using Complements

Use complements of numbers to simplify subtraction, especially with decimals or binary numbers and then subtract them accordingly as shown in the example added below:

Example: Subtract 048 from 1

Solution:

• Complement of 048 with respect to 1 is 052
• So, 1 - 048 = 0521 - 048 = 052
• Answer is 052

Subtraction of Large Numbers

Break large numbers into smaller, manageable parts and then subtract them accordingly as shown in the example added below:

Example: Subtract 2348 from 5237

Solution:

• Break the numbers into parts: (5000 + 237) - (2000 + 348)(5000 + 237) - (2000 + 348)
• Subtract the large parts first: 5000 - 2000 = 30005000 - 2000 = 3000
• Then subtract the smaller parts: 237 - 348237 - 348
• Since 237 is smaller, borrow from 3000 making it 2999 + 1000 - 348 = 6522999 + 1000 - 348 = 652
• Add the results: 3000 - 652 = 26483000 - 652 = 2648

Solved Examples of Subtraction Tricks

Example 1: Subtract 68 from 100.

Solution:

• 9 - 6=3
• 9 - 8=1

• Subtract each digit of 68 from 9 (for tens and units):
• Combine the results: 31
• Answer is 100 - 68 = 32.

Example 2: Subtract 47 from 83.

Solution:

• Find the complement of 47 with respect to 100: 100 - 47=53
• Add the complement to the minuend: 83+53=13
• Subtract 100 from the result: 136 - 100=36

Example 3: Subtract 487 from 623.

Solution:

• Borrow 1 from the tens place: 3(borrowedbecomes13)−7=6.

• Subtract the rightmost digit:
• Next column: 2 - 8 (borrow 1 from hundreds): 12−8=4
• Leftmost column: 5 - 4=1 (since we borrowed 1, 6 becomes 5).
• Answer is 623 - 487 = 136.

Example 4: Subtract 356 from 729.

Solution:

• Break down 356 into 300, 50, and 6.
• Subtract step-by-step:
  • 729 - 300=429
  • 429 - 50=379
  • 379 - 6=373
• Answer is 729 - 356 = 373.

Example 5: Subtract 496 from 812.

Solution:

• Add 4 to both numbers: 812+4=816 and 496+4=500
• Subtract the new numbers: 816−500=316
• Answer is 812 - 496 = 316.

Example: Subtract 0.48 from 1.

Solution:

• Complement of 0.48 with respect to 1 is 0.52.
• So, 1-0.48=0.521−0.48=0.52.
• Answer is 0.52.

Example: Subtract 2348 from 5237.

Solution:

• Break the numbers into parts: (5000+237) - (2000+348)
• Subtract the large parts first: 5000 - 2000=3000
• Then subtract the smaller parts:
  • Since 237 is smaller, borrow from 3000 making it 2999+1000−348=889
• Add the results: 3000−348=2652 (correction of smaller subtraction).
• Answer is 5237 - 2348 = 2889.

Practice Questions on Subtraction Tricks

Q1. Subtract 456 from 900.

Q2. Subtract 78 from 135.

Q3. Subtract 824 from 1000.

Q4. Subtract 293 from 500.

Q5. Subtract 67 from 200.

Q6. Subtract 378 from 600.

Q7. Subtract 92 from 150.

Q8. Subtract 543 from 900.

Q9. Subtract 248 from 400.

Q10. Subtract 735 from 1000.