Solve 46 - 27 Using Base-10 Blocks: Visual Subtraction Strategy

Regrouping Subtraction with Base-10 Blocks

If we have 46 blocks in total and we remove 27 of those blocks, how many blocks remain? Remember you can break down a row of 10 blocks into single units.

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Step-by-step written solution

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1

Understand the problem

If we have 46 blocks in total and we remove 27 of those blocks, how many blocks remain? Remember you can break down a row of 10 blocks into single units.

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, let's follow a step-by-step approach using subtraction with regrouping:

  • Step 1: Set up the subtraction problem as 4627 46 - 27 .
  • Step 2: Compare the one's place: 6 (in 46) and 7 (in 27). Since 6 is less than 7, we need to regroup.
  • Step 3: Regroup one ten from the 4 tens in 46. This will leave us with 3 tens and increase the units to 16.
  • Step 4: Now perform the subtraction for the one's place: 167=9 16 - 7 = 9 .
  • Step 5: Subtract the tens: 32=1 3 - 2 = 1 .

Thus, the remaining number of blocks after removing 27 from 46 is 19 19 .

3

Final Answer

19 19

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Regrouping Rule: When ones digit is smaller, borrow 1 ten
  • Technique: Convert 4 tens 6 ones to 3 tens 16 ones
  • Check: Add answer to subtrahend: 19+27=46 19 + 27 = 46

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Subtracting smaller from larger in each column
    Don't subtract 6 - 7 = -1 or flip to 7 - 6 = 1 without regrouping = wrong answer of 21! This ignores place value rules. Always regroup first: borrow 1 ten to make 16 - 7 = 9.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

If we have 85 blocks in total, how many blocks will remain if we remove 4 tens and 1 one?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just subtract 7 - 6 = 1 when 6 is smaller?

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That would give you the wrong answer! You must respect place value. When the top digit is smaller, you need to regroup (borrow) from the next column first.

How do base-10 blocks help me understand regrouping?

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Base-10 blocks make regrouping visual! You can literally break apart one ten-block into 10 unit blocks, showing how 4 tens 6 ones becomes 3 tens 16 ones.

What does 'breaking down a row of 10 blocks' mean?

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It means trading one ten-block for 10 individual unit blocks. This lets you have enough units to subtract from when the ones digit is too small.

How do I check if my subtraction is correct?

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Use addition to check: your answer plus the number you subtracted should equal your starting number. 19+27=46 19 + 27 = 46

What if I need to regroup from the hundreds place?

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The same rule applies! Borrow from the left whenever needed. Each borrowed digit becomes 10 in the next place value down.

Can I use this method for larger numbers?

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Absolutely! Regrouping works for any subtraction problem, no matter how many digits. The process stays the same: borrow from left to right as needed.

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