Solve 3321 minus 145: Column Subtraction Practice

Q: What does 'borrowing' actually mean in subtraction?

Borrowing means taking 1 from the next higher place value and adding 10 to the current digit. For example, when we borrow from tens to units, 1 becomes 11 (1 + 10).

Q: How do I know when I need to borrow?

You need to borrow whenever the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit in that column. If you can't subtract, you must borrow first!

Q: What if I need to borrow from a zero?

When borrowing from 0, you need to keep borrowing from the next column until you reach a non-zero digit. Turn that digit into 9s as you work backwards.

Q: Can I check my subtraction answer?

Yes! Add your answer to the number you subtracted. If you get the original number, your subtraction is correct: $3176 + 145 = 3321$ ✓

Q: Why do we subtract from right to left?

We start from the units place because borrowing affects the column to the left. Working right to left ensures we handle all borrowing correctly before moving on.

Column Subtraction with Multi-Digit Borrowing

$\begin{aligned} &3321 \\ -& \\ &~~145 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}$

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

We have hundreds of course questions with personalized recommendations + Account 100% premium

Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Solve

00:03 Each time we consider a shortage of 2 digits, and then we put

00:09 1 less than 5

00:15 That means now instead of 1 we will have 11

00:20 Subtract the ones from the ones plus ten

00:23 Put in ones place

00:27 1 less than 4

00:31 Therefore we subtract 1 from hundreds, and add this sum to tens

00:36 That means now instead of 1 we will have 11

00:41 Subtract the tens from the tens plus ten

00:44 Put in tens place

00:48 Subtract hundreds from hundreds, and put in hundreds place

00:51 Put 0 in the missing digits

00:54 Subtract thousands from thousands, and put in thousands place

00:57 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

$\begin{aligned} &3321 \\ -& \\ &~~145 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}$

Step-by-step solution

To solve the problem $3321 - 145$ , we need to conduct vertical subtraction step by step. Let's proceed through each digit from right to left:

Units Place:
Current digits: 1 (from 3321) and 5 (from 145).
We need to subtract 5 from 1, which requires borrowing as 1 is less than 5.
1: Borrow from tens place (2 becomes 1), making this 11.
Now calculate: $11 - 5 = 6$ .
Tens Place:
Current digits: 1 (left after borrowing from 2) and 4 (from 145).
We need to subtract 4 from 1, which means we borrow as 1 is less than 4.
21: Borrow from hundreds place (3 becomes 2), making this 11.
Then calculate: $11 - 4 = 7$ .
Hundreds Place:
Current digits: 2 (after borrowing from 3) and 1 (from 145).
Now calculate: $2 - 1 = 1$ .
Thousands Place:
Current digits: 3 (minuend) and no digit in subtrahend at this place.
So, the result is unchanged: $3 - 0 = 3$ .

By following these step-by-step calculations, the result is $3321 - 145 = 3176$ .

Therefore, the final difference is $3176$ .

Final Answer

3176

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Borrowing Rule: When minuend digit is smaller, borrow from next column
Technique: 1 becomes 11 after borrowing, then calculate $11 - 5 = 6$
Check: Add result to subtrahend: $3176 + 145 = 3321$ ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Forgetting to reduce the borrowed-from digit
Don't borrow 1 from tens place but leave it as 2 = wrong calculation! When you borrow, the digit must decrease by 1. Always reduce the borrowed-from digit before continuing to the next column.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

$\begin{aligned} &105 \\ -& \\ &~~~~3 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

What does 'borrowing' actually mean in subtraction?

Borrowing means taking 1 from the next higher place value and adding 10 to the current digit. For example, when we borrow from tens to units, 1 becomes 11 (1 + 10).

How do I know when I need to borrow?

You need to borrow whenever the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit in that column. If you can't subtract, you must borrow first!

What if I need to borrow from a zero?

When borrowing from 0, you need to keep borrowing from the next column until you reach a non-zero digit. Turn that digit into 9s as you work backwards.

Can I check my subtraction answer?

Yes! Add your answer to the number you subtracted. If you get the original number, your subtraction is correct: $3176 + 145 = 3321$ ✓

Why do we subtract from right to left?

We start from the units place because borrowing affects the column to the left. Working right to left ensures we handle all borrowing correctly before moving on.

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

Get unlimited access to all 18 Arithmetic Operations questions, detailed video solutions, and personalized progress tracking.

📹

Unlimited Video Solutions

Step-by-step explanations for every problem

📊

Progress Analytics

Track your mastery across all topics

🚫

Ad-Free Learning

Focus on math without distractions

No credit card required • Cancel anytime