Solve the Subtraction Problem: 48 Units Minus 9 Units

Subtraction with Regrouping

What do you get if you subtract 9 units from 48 units?

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Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

What do you get if you subtract 9 units from 48 units?

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we need to subtract 9 from 48. This involves simple subtraction:

  • Write the numbers vertically, aligning the decimal if necessary, though here they are whole numbers:
    48
    -
    9
  • We start from the rightmost column (units place). Subtract 9 from 8:
  • Since you cannot subtract a larger number from a smaller one without getting into negative numbers, you should consider regrouping.
  • We take 1 from the tens place, turning the 4 (in 48) to 3, and the 8 (becomes 18).
  • Subtract 9 from 18, which gives 9.
  • The remaining in tens column is 3 (because we reduced it by 1).

By combining these, the subtraction of 9 units from 48 units gives us:

39 39

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 39 39 , which matches the third choice given.

3

Final Answer

39 39

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Regrouping Rule: When subtracting larger digit from smaller, borrow from next column
  • Technique: Turn 4 tens into 3 tens plus 10 ones: 48 becomes 3(10+8)
  • Check: Add your answer to subtrahend: 39 + 9 = 48 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Subtracting smaller number from larger in each column
    Don't subtract 8 - 9 and write down 1 = wrong place value! This ignores the regrouping process and gives 41 instead of 39. Always regroup when the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit.

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 8 - 9 and get 1?

+

Because 8 - 9 = -1, which is negative! In subtraction problems, we need positive results in each place value. That's why we regroup (borrow) from the tens place first.

What does 'regrouping' actually mean?

+

Regrouping means borrowing 1 from the next higher place value. In 48 - 9, we take 1 ten (worth 10 ones) and add it to the 8 ones, giving us 18 ones to work with.

How do I remember when to regroup?

+

Look at each column from right to left. If the top number is smaller than the bottom number, you need to regroup! For example, since 8 < 9, we must regroup in 48 - 9.

Can I check my subtraction answer?

+

Yes! Addition is the opposite of subtraction. Add your answer to the number you subtracted: 39+9=48 39 + 9 = 48 . If you get the original number, you're correct!

What if I need to regroup multiple times?

+

No problem! Work from right to left, regrouping one column at a time. Each time you borrow, reduce the digit you borrowed from by 1 and add 10 to the current column.

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