In this activity, we will be looking at how to subtract decimals with one decimal place.
Example
Find the difference:
5.1 - 2.4 = ___
Answer
Number Line Method:
Look at the number line.
Start at 5.1 and move back 2 ones to get to 3.1
Then subtract 4 tenths to get to 2.7
The answer is 2.7
Column Subtraction Method:
Step 1. Line up the decimal points in column subtraction.
Step 2. Subtract, starting with the tenths place on the right side of the decimal point. We need to exchange, so the 5 in the ones place becomes 4 and the 1 in the tenths place becomes 11. Subtract 11 - 4 = 7.
Step 3. Now subtract in the ones place, to the left of the decimal point. Subtract 4 - 2 = 2.
Answer: 2.7
The answer is 2.7
Let's have a go at some questions now. Which method will you choose to use?