Subtraction with 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

1. Set up the problem:
   Write the numbers vertically, with the larger number on top.
   Align the numbers by place value (ones, tens, hundreds, etc.).
   
2. Start from the rightmost column (ones place):
   If the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit, you need to borrow.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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.

Videos

How to subtract across zero and regrouping using Base-10 Blocks?

Example:
202 − 138 = ?

• Show Video Lesson

How to subtract across zeros using Base-10 blocks?
200 − 63 = ?

• Show Video Lesson

How to subtract across zero (3 digits – 3 digits)?

Example:
500 − 234 = ?
400 − 138 = ?
602 − 347 = ?
806 − 327 = ?
408 − 192 = ?
800 − 365 = ?
704 − 536 = ?

• Show Video Lesson

How to subtract across a zero (4 digits – 4 digits)?

Example:
1,500 − 1,132 = ?
8,200 − 5,777 = ?

• Show Video Lesson

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 = ?

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How to subtract with zeros (4 digits – 4 digits)?

Example:
4,000 − 1,165 = ?

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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 = ?

• Show Video Lesson

Click on the following image to play the Subtract Across Zeros Game.

Free Subtraction Games
One More, One Less	1-Digit Subtraction	Subtract from 10
Subtract from Whole 10	2-Digit - 1-Digit (No regrouping)	2-Digit - 1-Digit (With regrouping)
Subtract from 100	Subtract from Whole 100	2-Digit - 2-Digit (No regrouping)
2-Digit - 2-Digit (With regrouping)	Subtract across Zeros	3-Digit - 2-Digit

Try out our new and fun Fraction Concoction Game.

Add and subtract fractions to make exciting fraction concoctions following a recipe. There are four levels of difficulty: Easy, medium, hard and insane. Practice the basics of fraction addition and subtraction or challenge yourself with the insane level.

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