Subtraction with zeros
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More Lessons for Grade 2
Math Worksheets
These lessons, with videos, examples and step-by-step solutions help Grade 2 students learn how to subtract across zeros (i.e. the first number in the subtraction or the minuend has zeros).
Subtracting with zeros can be tricky, especially when you need to borrow.
The following diagrams show how to subtract from numbers with zeros. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions.
Subtraction Worksheets
Practice your skills with the following subtraction worksheets:
Printable and Online Subtraction Worksheets
- Set up the problem:
Write the numbers vertically, with the larger number on top.
Align the numbers by place value (ones, tens, hundreds, etc.). - Start from the rightmost column (ones place):
If the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit, you need to borrow. - Borrowing from a zero:
If you need to borrow from a zero in the next place value to the left, you’ll need to go further left until you find a digit you can borrow from.
When you find a digit to borrow from, reduce that digit by 1.
Change all the zeros in between to 9.
The zero you originally wanted to borrow from becomes 10. - Subtract:
Subtract the bottom digit from the top digit in each column, starting from the ones place.
Tips:
- Always start from the rightmost column.
- Be careful when borrowing across multiple zeros.
- Double-check your work to avoid mistakes.
How to subtract across zero and regrouping using Base-10 Blocks?
Example:
202 − 138 = ?
How to subtract across zeros using Base-10 blocks?
200 − 63 = ?
How to subtract across zero (3 digits – 3 digits)?
Example:
500 − 234 = ?
400 − 138 = ?
602 − 347 = ?
806 − 327 = ?
408 − 192 = ?
800 − 365 = ?
704 − 536 = ?
How to subtract across a zero (4 digits – 4 digits)?
Example:
1,500 − 1,132 = ?
8,200 − 5,777 = ?
How to subtract with borrowing (4 digits – 4 digits)?
Subtracting large numbers can be easy when you take it step-by-step.
Example:
8,006 − 2,537 = ?
How to subtract with zeros (4 digits – 4 digits)?
Example:
4,000 − 1,165 = ?
Subtraction Box Trick
Math tutorial on regrouping from zeros using the box trick.
Example:
406 − 89 = ?
8,000 − 256 = ?
3,052 − 1,826 = ?
4,008 − 2,475 = ?
2,005 − 1,876 = ?
2,006 − 1,455 = ?
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