Subtracting decimals is a lot like adding decimals, however, the order you write the numbers now makes a big difference.

• Write the first number on top and write the second number below it in columns such that the decimals line up.
• Fill in the empty spaces with zeros so that both numbers have the same number of decimal places.
• Subtract the bottom number from the top number.

Example 1:  11.48 - 3.2756

Example 2: 12.57 - 6.3

Subtract a decimal from a whole number

Subtracting decimals